Long Beach to Launch Time Capsule Honoring America's 250th Anniversary as Part of 908 Day Celebration
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Long Beach, CA ~ Long Beach, CA - As the nation prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary through America250, the City of Long Beach is also gearing up for a special celebration on 908 Day. This year, in honor of 908 Day, the city will be assembling a new time capsule to preserve the stories, milestones and memories that define Long Beach in 2026.

The idea for this time capsule was inspired by the opening of the city's 1976 Bicentennial time capsule earlier this summer. The contents of this capsule included mementos from that era such as Bicentennial flags, newspapers and publications from 1976, and handwritten letters from local elementary school students reflecting on life and their hopes for the future. Building on this legacy, the City of Long Beach is now creating a new time capsule that will be sealed for 50 years to come.

Mayor Rex Richardson expressed his excitement about this project, stating that "As we celebrate the founding of our nation, Long Beach has an opportunity to show the world what makes this city special and creating this time capsule on 908 Day could not be more fitting." He also encouraged all residents to take part in this initiative by sharing a piece of Long Beach that they want future generations to know about.

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To ensure that all members of the community have a chance to contribute, an online form has been made available from now until December 1st, 2026. Residents can submit items across four categories: historical, cultural, personal or "other." While not every item will be chosen for inclusion in the time capsule, it will give community members across Long Beach a chance to be represented. Additionally, at the start of next year, the City will add a full submission list - including resident names and ideas - to document what was valued by Long Beach residents in 2026.

The collection of tangible items for the time capsule will begin on September 8th and continue through December 31st. The capsule will then be presented at the Mayor's State of the City address in early 2027 before being sealed for the next 50 years inside a plinth on permanent display in the Civic Center Lobby in Downtown Long Beach. This will serve as a lasting memorial to this moment in the City's history for future generations to discover.

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City Manager Tom Modica emphasized the significance of this time capsule, stating that "908 Day is about who we are as a city and where we are headed." He also highlighted how this project gives every resident a chance to help tell their story and will stand as a symbol of community pride for generations to come.

It is worth noting that the time capsule and memorial plinth are funded through the city's Special Events and Promotion budget, which is supported by revenue from transient occupancy taxes. This funding is restricted solely for promoting the City.

The annual celebration of 908 Day was officially established by the City Council in September 2024 to honor Long Beach through community pride, local events, and more. This celebration was created in partnership with 908 Magazine, founded by Long Beach native John Grossi at just 19 years old. The magazine's name pays homage to the first three digits shared by every Long Beach ZIP code.

As Long Beach prepares to celebrate its past, present, and future on 908 Day, this new time capsule will serve as a powerful reminder of what makes this city special and will leave a lasting legacy for generations to come.

Filed Under: Government, City
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