ILLUMINATI

The term "Illuminati" (plural of the Latin "illuminatus," meaning "enlightened") has been used since the 15th century to refer to various groups, both real and fictitious, who claim or are believed to possess special enlightenment or knowledge. Historically, the most well-known group is the Bavarian Illuminati, an Enlightenment-era secret society founded on May 1, 1776, by Adam Weishaupt. This group aimed to promote reason and challenge superstition and political oppression. Their goals included replacing Christianity with a religion of reason and influencing political institutions. However, the Bavarian government banned the organization in 1785, and it ceased to exist shortly after. Over time, the term "Illuminati" has also been applied to other groups who claimed spiritual or intellectual enlightenment, such as the Alumbrados in 16th-century Spain. In modern times, the Illuminati have become the subject of widespread conspiracy theories. These theories often depict them as a powerful and secretive organization controlling world events. However, there is no credible evidence to support these claims.