History is shrouded in mystery. And secret societies have always been talked about with interest. From the Knights Templar to the Illuminati, secret societies have flourished with conspiracy theories that are still relevant to this day. So what are some secret societies from history that are still talked bout today?
6. The Knights Templar
Dedicated to protecting Christian pilgrims to the Holy Land during the Crusades, the Knights Templar was founded around 1119 when Hugues de Payens, a French knight, created the Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and the Temple of Solomon. While known for their military prowess and moral lifestyle, they’re also known for being one of the wealthiest and powerful forces in Europe.
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5. Bilderberg
The first meeting was held in 1954 at the Hotel de Bilderberg in the Netherlands, from which the organization got its name. It was a gathering of powerful politicians from North America and Europe designed to foster warmer relations between the two continents amid fears of growing anti-Americanism in Europe. While not a strict secret society, the meetings blocked attendees from sharing what happened in the meetings, and journalists were not permitted to enter.
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4. The Knights of the Golden Circle
Another Knights group on the list of interesting secret societies from history includes the Knights of the Golden Circle, which flourished in the U.S. during the American Civil War. The group sought to encourage the annexation of Mexico and the West Indies, which they believed would help the waning slave trade to once again flourish. Once the Civil War started, the group switched from colonialism to fervent support of the newly established Confederate government.
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3. The Freemasons
This is one of the many secret societies from history that have had a huge impact, especially after 13 of the 39 men who signed the U.S. Constitution were Masons. Founding Fathers, including George Washington, James Monroe, John Hancock, and Paul Revere, were all members of the group. The Freemasons can trace their roots to the Middle Ages in Europe, when most craftsmen were organized into local guilds.
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2. Skull and Bones
The Order of Skull and Bones is one of the many secret societies from history that held important members throughout history, including President Grant and the father of President William Howard Taft. The society was founded at Yale University in New Haven in 1832. William Huntington Russell created the group after being inspired by an occult society he’d visited in Germany.
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1. The Illuminati
It’s safe to say that one of the most prominent and interesting secret societies in history is the Illuminati. The society is talked about in hushed tones, as well as excitedly referenced with jokes and memes. The group was founded by Professor Adam Weishaupt in Bavaria in 1776. The group was formed due to the power of the conservative Catholic Curch and the Bavarian monarchy, seeking to cast aside organized religion in favor of a new form of “illumination” through reason.
