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Field Trip winners announced, Block Party Concert acts announced.

America250 – the national, nonpartisan organization charged by Congress with leading the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence – has announced that “America’s Time Capsule” has been officially sealed and revealed the of items that will be preserved inside the capsule for the next 250 years.

The collection includes letters, artifacts, records and objects selected to help tell the story of the United States at the semiquincentennial. Some content was selected by America250 to represent its national programming, but the majority is from the 50 states, D.C. and territories. America250 worked closely with each to establish their own commissions that determined which items should represent them, making this a truly grassroots effort. Most contents will be placed within 6” x 4” x 2” archival boxes. Paper documents will be preserved within a separate compartment inside the capsule. Contributions range from handwritten letters and civic records to cultural artifacts, scientific innovations, sports memorabilia and items representing the everyday life of Americans across the country. 

America’s Field Trip: America250 has announced the 2026 awardees – “an inspiring group of 250 young people whose writing and artwork captured the creativity, curiosity and civic spirit that will help shape our nation’s next 250 years. These students shared powerful reflections on community, opportunity, perseverance, service, freedom and the many experiences that connect us as Americans.”

This summer, the 125 first-place awardees will embark on unforgettable field-trip experiences to some of the country’s most iconic historic and cultural destinations, including Yellowstone National Park, the Kennedy Space Center, the National Archives, the Golden Gate Bridge, the Library of Congress, the Mount Rushmore National Memorial and more.

America’s Block Party Concert Benefiting Giving 4th: Chris Stapleton and the Smashing Pumpkins will take the stage for at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on July 4, hosted by Queen Latifah. Additional performers will be announced in the coming weeks. The landmark concert will celebrate , America250’s new national initiative calling on all Americans to add something new to their celebration: the act of giving back through pledges for charitable donations.

America250 is hosting the concert as the Los Angeles anchor of a nationwide, sea-to-shining-sea celebration and a unifying call for Americans to make a pledge to support a nonprofit or cause they care about, then fulfill that pledge through a charitable donation as the nation celebrates July 4. To ensure measurable impact, America250 will collaborate with GivingTuesday, the global generosity movement, to track charitable donations nationwide. Additional America’s Block Party locations include Summerfest in Milwaukee, the Fort Campbell Festival in Kentucky and SC250 Charleston (S.C.), with announcements for celebrations in Boston and Philadelphia coming soon.

Tickets will go on sale on June 16 at 10 a.m. PDT at . Fans can also download the official to find a block party near them, access the livestream and participate in Giving 4th. Tickets are priced at $17.76; 5,000 complimentary tickets will be donated to veterans and active-duty servicemembers in honor of their service. Active-duty military, veterans and first responders can also claim tickets directly through , a free program dedicated to connecting those who serve with live events.

Read the latest about all of America250’s initiatives at .

By , American Legion departments and posts are encouraged to connect with their state and local America250 commissions. An online directory is available to contact these commissions at . Share your stories of involvement on , and send details of your post or department events to magazine@legion.org.