Answer · confidence: partial
Which other time capsules have set opening years, and how many already passed?
Research question: Which other time capsules have a fixed opening year set by their sealers, and how many of those years have already passed?
The records show eight other capsules with a set opening year or period, not counting Meredith's 2076 1. Two of those years have passed: Blue Peter's first capsule, set to open in 2000 7, and Woodridge's 1976 Bicentennial capsule, which appears to have been planned for 2026 5. The other six remain sealed: Westinghouse's 6939 opening 2, Whitfield County's 2074 date 3, Blue Peter's 2050 8, 2029 9, and 2018–2038 designations 10, and the Nickelodeon capsule's 2042 date 11. Peoria's and Tom Marak's capsules have no fixed opening year, so they are excluded 46. The newest fact is from September 2026, about a month before today 1.
Checked 2026-10-23. Only documented and supported facts are used.
Dig deeper on this questionSources
[1] supported
The Meredith time capsule was buried with a fixed opening year of 2076, so that year has not yet passed as of the article's September 2026 publication.
"Meredith buries time capsule bound for 2076 , pennies and all"Meredith buries time capsule bound for 2076 , pennies and all (unionleader.com, 2026-09)
[2] supported
The 1939 Westinghouse time capsule at the New York World's Fair was buried with an intended opening year of 6939, a span of 5,000 years. As of the June 2026 article, that opening year had not yet arrived, so none of its years have passed.
"In 1939, the Westinghouse Electric Corporation buried a torpedo-shaped capsule at the New York World’s Fair in Flushing Meadows, intended to be opened in 6939 — a span of 5,000 years."'Do Not Open Until July 4, 2276': America's Official Semiquincentennial ...
[3] supported
A new time capsule in Whitfield County, Georgia is scheduled to remain sealed until 2074, so that year has not yet passed as of the document's July 2026 date.
"In Whitfield County, Georgia, leaders announced that another time capsule would eventually be placed at the courthouse, scheduled to remain sealed until 2074"Hanford Opens 1976 Bicentennial Time Capsule After Missing Its July 4th ...
[4] supported
Peoria's late-1890s city hall time capsule had no recorded opening date or location, so no opening year was set by its sealers.
"But they also left no directions of when to open it or even where it was,"Illinois buried lots of time capsules in 1976 . Were opening them now . (chicagotribune.com, 2026-07)
[5] supported
Woodridge's 1976 Bicentennial time capsule was written around the year 2026, which appears to be its planned opening year, and that year has now passed.
"We were answering what Woodridge would be like in 2026, and I definitely expected flying cars."Illinois buried lots of time capsules in 1976 . Were opening them now . (chicagotribune.com, 2026-07)
[6] supported
Tom Marak's Time Capsules Inc. capsules are guaranteed to last 500 years, which implies a horizon far beyond the present year.
"are guaranteed to last 500 years — although the 2526 return policy is a bit unclear."Illinois buried lots of time capsules in 1976 . Were opening them now . (chicagotribune.com, 2026-07)
[7] supported
The first Blue Peter time capsule, buried in 1971, was set to be opened in 2000.
"The tradition began in 1971 when the first Blue Peter time capsule was buried, set to be opened in 2000 to demonstrate the next generations of viewers what daily life was like at the time, with viewers selecting what goes in the time capsule."Blue Peter
[8] supported
A second time capsule was set to be opened in 2050 but was accidentally dug up and damaged in 2017.
"The time capsule was set to be opened in 2050; however, in 2017, it was accidentally dug up by builders and damaged."Blue Peter
[9] supported
The fifth time capsule, buried in 2000, is due to be dug up in 2029.
"The capsule was relocated to the new garden in 2011 with the programme's move to Salford Quays , and is due to be dug up in 2029."Blue Peter
[10] supported
A new time capsule announced in 2018 is designated for the period 2018–2038.
"2018–2038 (The Diamond Time Capsule)"Blue Peter
[11] supported
The Nickelodeon time capsule buried in 1992 is set to be opened on April 30, 2042.
"The Nickelodeon time capsule buried by the network in 1992 was removed in August 2006 and reburied at the Nickelodeon Suites Resort . Upon the hotel's closure and rebranding in 2016, it was reburied at the Nickelodeon Animation Studio and is set to be opened on April 30, 2042."Nickelodeon Studios
[12] supported
The Nickelodeon time capsule was originally buried near the Slime Geyser on April 30, 1992.
"On April 30, 1992, the Nickelodeon time capsule was buried near the Slime Geyser."Nickelodeon Studios
[13] supported
The time capsule contains items deemed important to children of 1992, including a Barbie doll, a Nintendo Game Boy, and CDs by MC Hammer and Michael Jackson.
"It contains items deemed important to the children of 1992 as voted upon by Nickelodeon viewers. These items included a Barbie doll, baseball , books ( comic book , endangered species book, history book , phone book , TV Guide and World Atlas ), bubble gum , CDs ( MC Hammer and Michael Jackson ), hat featuring the catchphrase of Joey Lawrence , news reports ( 1991 Soviet Coup d'état attempt , Diss"Nickelodeon Studios
[14] supported
The original cover of the Nickelodeon time capsule was sold by Heritage Auctions in 2022 for $19,200.
"The time capsule's original cover was sold by Heritage Auctions in 2022 for $19,200."Nickelodeon Studios
[15] supported
The Nickelodeon time capsule was removed in August 2006 and reburied at the Nickelodeon Suites Resort.
"The Nickelodeon time capsule buried by the network in 1992 was removed in August 2006 and reburied at the Nickelodeon Suites Resort ."Nickelodeon Studios