A history of the United States in 100 objects: 1. The Century Safe
In 1876, Americans filled an iron safe with objects meant to tell their story - to be opened a century later. Roman Mars and historian Jill Lepore trace its journey and contents.
In 1876, Americans filled an iron safe with objects meant to tell their story - to be opened a century later. Roman Mars and historian Jill Lepore trace its long wait, from Reconstruction to Watergate, and the surprising, unsettling contents that emerged in 1976. What do the objects we choose to preserve, or forget, reveal about how we author our own history?
(Photo: The Century Safe, the first time capsule, assembled and buried in Philadelphia on the occasion of the American centennial, to be opened in 100 years time, 1876. The Century Safe, c. 1876. Credit: by Kean Collection/Getty Images)
Presenter: Roman Mars
Last on
Broadcasts
- Saturday18:32GMTBBC World Service except East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa
- Sunday08:32GMTBBC World Service Australasia, South Asia & East Asia only
- Sunday11:32GMTBBC World Service except Australasia, East Asia & South Asia
