Question

History is explored using a variety of sources, large and small. Some sources, such as letters, books, and newspapers, can be read. Others can be seen, heard, touched, and sometimes smelled. Historians use these sources to learn about the past—how people lived, worked, and played—and to learn about what happened and why. Imagine that you are putting together a time capsule for future generations. It will be buried and then unearthed in the year 3000. You want to place in it the items you feel best document your life and times. They can be personal items or items that relate to your larger community. Name six items you would include. They can be objects, writing, or something in an audio or visual format. What would you include and why? Describe each item in one or two sentences mentioning what it is and how it could help future generations learn about your life and times.

Answer 1

Here’s one possible list of items that could be included in a time capsule:

A letter addressed to people living in the year 3000; it would serve as a greeting and an explanation of the time capsule and its contents.

A music CD; it would allow people of the future to hear some of the popular songs of this generation.

A cell phone; it would allow future generations to analyze how we communicated in the early 2000s compared to how they communicate in the year 3000.

A bestselling book; it would provide insight about what this generation liked to read.

A recent newspaper; it would allow future generations to get a sense of what was happening in the world at the time the capsule was buried.

A photograph of our community, including all the people who contributed to this time capsule; it would allow people of the future to see what people from my generation looked like.

Step-by-step explanation:

Answer 2

First of all, is there really a right or wrong answer to this question?
I would include a laminated piece of paper explaining what time this time capsule was created and who I am. On that paper I would address living conditions at the moment, including the environment, politics, lifestyle, and wealth of the average citizen in the country.
Second, I would include a book of photographs from the 20th-21st Century.
A USB with pictures of my own and a video of the world and who I am.
Fourth, a novel of my choice- maybe a favourite or American classic.
Seeds. I would collect vital seeds for the time and store a few of each plant in a air sealed bag.
Sixth, I would write another letter of hope for the future. What I think the world will succumb to be and what we should always value as a human society.