Press Release
Press Release · Wednesday, December 6, 2000

Washington, DC. . .What artifacts, ideas, or accomplishments represent America at this time in history? What hopes and dreams occupy the hearts of Americans young and old? President and Mrs. Clinton wanted to give Americans 100 years from now a time capsule to help them answer those questions about us and our era. The White House Millennium Council asked former presidential and congressional medal winners from diverse fields of accomplishment, as well as students across our country, to describe what they think represents America at the end of the 20th century or to express their hopes for the future. More than 1,300 students and medalists responded.

The opening ceremony of the National Millennium Time Capsule will take place today in the Rotunda of the National Archives Building at 4:00 P.M. Remarks will be made by First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, Archivist of the United States John Carlin, and 1988 National Medal of Science winner Dr. Paul Chu. Press should use the Pennsylvania Avenue entrance to the Building.

The National Millennium Time Capsule will be on display in the Rotunda of the National Archives Building in Washington, DC, through January 21, 2001. The exhibition is free and open to the public. The National Archives Building is located at Constitution Avenue between 7th and 9th Streets, NW. Hours are 10 A.M. to 5:30 P.M. daily. After the exhibit closes, the capsule will be placed in the custody of the National Archives and Records Administration, which will care for it until it is opened a century from now.

The Capsule incorporates a waving flag design that evokes the dynamic nature of who we are together-states forming a nation bound by a heritage both common and diverse, and a people ever on the move. The materials used to fashion the capsule-steel, copper and titanium-reflect our past, present and future.

Participants in the White House Millennium Council's project include Pentagram Design, Inc., designed this unique vessel, the National Teacher of the Year program, the United States Department of Education, the Smithsonian Institution, and the National Archives and Records Administration.

For PRESS information, contact the National Archives Public Affairs staff at (301) 837-1700 or by e-mail. To verify the date and times of the programs, the public should call the Public Events Line at: 202-501-5000.

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