What Would You Put in a US Time Capsule?

What Would You Put in a US Time Capsule?

Author: Liam Heffernan September 23, 2025 Duration: 58:11
America: The Story of the USA
HistoryCultureNewsPoliticsSocietySociety & Culture

On this day in 1938, the World’s Fair came to Flushing Meadows Park in New York City. It is here that the Westinghouse Time Capsules were buried underground, to be opened in 5,000 years time. Its contents include a copy of Life magazine, a pack of Camel cigarettes, a dictionary, and a variety of seeds.

So this week, we are going to curate our own time capsule, to reflect the 21st century United States as accurately as possible, for anybody finding this podcast in 5,000 years.

What would you put in a US capsule?

Email us your suggestions at america@podcastsbyliam.com OR

Send us a voicenote here: https://www.speakpipe.com/AmericaAHistory

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Special guest for this episode:

  • Dr Emma Long
  • Professor Rebecca Fraser
  • Dr Nicholas Grant

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Highlights from this episode:

  • We need to consider what a time capsule would look like today, especially with the political climate and significant events like January 6th, 2021.
  • The Handmaid's Tale serves as a chilling reminder of the risks associated with the rise of authoritarianism and the importance of women's voices in society.
  • Taylor Swift's career exemplifies the struggle for control and representation in a male-dominated music industry, making her an essential figure for our time capsule.
  • Our time capsule must reflect not only the current state of America but also the fears and hopes for the future, considering how history may view our actions today.
  • The inclusion of pop culture artifacts, such as The Office, helps illustrate the everyday American experience and provides insight into social dynamics during the 21st century.
  • We have to acknowledge that the rapid changes brought on by social media and political events will shape how future generations understand our society.

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Additional Resources:

The Westinghouse Time Capsule - Heinz History Center

Making of Biblical Womanhood: How the Subjugation of Women Became Gospel Truth by Beth Allison Barr

The history of the Twitter logo (and the X logo) | Creative Bloq

The Official Website of Taylor Swift

Amazon.com: The Office: The Complete Series [DVD]

Michelle Obama: 'When they go low, we go high'


Hosted by Liam Heffernan, America: The Story of the USA is a deep and ongoing conversation about the forces that have shaped the nation. This isn't just a history lesson; it's an exploration of how the past directly informs today's headlines and cultural shifts. Each episode brings together a remarkable range of voices, from Nobel laureates and acclaimed historians to veteran journalists, to dissect pivotal moments and current events with nuance and depth. You'll hear discussions that connect the dots between a centuries-old political decision and a modern social movement, or examine a breaking news story through the lens of long-standing cultural patterns. The aim is to provide a richer, more connected understanding of the American experience in all its complexity. By weaving together threads from history, politics, society, and culture, this podcast offers a comprehensive and thoughtful narrative. For those who want to look beyond the soundbites and understand the deeper currents running through the United States, this series serves as an essential and engaging resource. Tune in for a consistently insightful analysis that treats the American story as the living, evolving saga that it truly is.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

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