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Freemasonry is older than you think -

Many tie the foundation of Freemasonry to 1717, when the Grand Lodge was established in England. However, that lodge was founded to govern other lodges that were already in operation.

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Freemasonry is older than you think -

The roots of the Masons go back at least to the late 16th century. It all apparently started when a prominent Scottish stonemason, William Schaw, oversaw the construction of the country’s palaces. He issued a series of professional and personal guidelines for stonemasons, which inspired the organizational structure and code of conduct. These guidelines would later define the Freemasons.

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The importance of symbols, and disagreements about "G" -

Symbols have long been important to Freemasonry. They're used for codifying, and communicate important Masonic ideas and values.

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The importance of symbols, and disagreements about "G" -

However, not all Masons agree on their meaning, especially when it comes to the letter "G." Some claim it stands for God, whom Masons consider the Great Architect of the Universe. Others believe it's a reference to geometry, which was important to the original stone-working Masons.

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The Boston Tea Party was supposedly planned in a Masonic lodge -

In 1733, Freemasonry came to Boston when St. John’s Grand Lodge was established in the city. In 1764, they bought the Green Dragon Tavern to use as a meeting place. And while the Masons conducted their meetings on the pub’s first floor, another group, the Sons of Liberty, is believed to have met in the basement.

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The Boston Tea Party was supposedly planned in a Masonic lodge -

The Sons of Liberty are best known for dramatic political protests, including the Boston Tea Party. But there's also a good reason to believe Freemasons did more than just provide a meeting spot for the group.

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The Boston Tea Party was supposedly planned in a Masonic lodge -

A meeting at the Boston lodge on the night of December 16, 1773 was called off due to poor attendance. Maybe they were too busy throwing tea into Boston Harbor instead...

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Freemasons were accused of a high-profile 19th-century murder -

By 1826, the group’s membership included some powerful political figures. And this rose a lot of suspicion about the secret group, especially after a man named William Morgan was abducted from jail, ushered into a carriage, and never seen again.

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Freemasons were accused of a high-profile 19th-century murder -

Morgan had supposedly infiltrated Masonic meetings and, together with newspaper publisher David C. Miller, was planning to release a book exposing the inner secrets of the group.

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Freemasons were accused of a high-profile 19th-century murder -

Masons supposedly set fire to Miller’s print shop, and Morgan was believed to have been killed in a gruesome ritual. The incident further fueled the already existing anti-Masonic movement. Four men were eventually convicted of crimes related to the abduction, but only received light sentences.

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There are female Freemasons -

Officially, the Freemasons remain a men-only organization. However, there are auxiliary lodges that accept women. They subscribe to the same principles and practices as their male counterparts, even referring to members as "brothers."

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There are female Freemasons -

England has two women-only lodges: the Order of Women Freemasons, established in 1908, and the Honorable Fraternity of Ancient Freemasons, established in 1913.

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There are female Freemasons -

And while all-women lodges are a relatively recent phenomenon, there were already female Freemasons centuries ago. Elizabeth Aldworth, who died in 1773, was the first woman who entered the ranks after accidentally witnessing Masonic proceedings in 1712.

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Freemasons probably gave us the phrase "the third degree" -

To become a third-degree, or a master, one must undergo a round of intense interrogation by the lodge’s senior members. Hence the origins of the phrase, which refers to rigorous questioning.

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Freemasons inspired America’s first third party -

The Freemasonry are behind several key components of the US electoral process, including nominating conventions, party platforms, and third-party candidates.

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Freemasons inspired America’s first third party -

All of these components started in 1828, with the Anti-Masonic Party, which became the country’s first third party. Prominent anti-Masonic politicians included future president Millard Fillmore and Abraham Lincoln’s future secretary of state, William Seward.

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Freemasons inspired America’s first third party -

Inspired largely by the disappearance of William Morgan, the party held the country's first ever national political convention. But even if they performed well in local and state elections, it was mostly downhill from there.

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There are historically Black Masonic lodges -

In 1775, a Black abolitionist named Prince Hall, along with 14 other Black men, was inducted into a Masonic lodge at Boston Harbor. When the British Army left the area, they were granted only limited rights to continue in the Masonic tradition. For instance, they could meet as Masons and conduct Masonic funeral rites, but were forbidden to perform other Masonic rituals.

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There are historically Black Masonic lodges -

However, in 1784, they were granted a full charter by the Grand Lodge of England, founding America’s first Black Masonic lodge.

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Anti-Masonry around the world -

The US wasn't the only country to endure anti-masonry. In 1989, British journalist Martin Short caused a stir with his book 'Inside the Brotherhood,' revealing links between the Freemasons and the country’s police forces.

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Anti-Masonry around the world -

In 1981, Italy had its own Freemasonry scandal. That year, Italian police confiscated the membership roster of a Masonic lodge known as Propaganda Due, or P2. It had nearly 1,000 names, including police officers, government officials, military officers, judges, journalists, and prominent businessmen. The lodge was also implicated in several violent acts, ranging from deadly bombings to the murder of banker Roberto Calvi.

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The Catholic Church condemns Freemasonry -

To join the organization, all Freemasons are required to acknowledge their belief in a "Supreme Being." Even so, it hasn't won over the likes of the Catholic Church.

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The Catholic Church condemns Freemasonry -

The Catholic Church explicitly forbids its members from becoming Freemasons, and considers doing so a mortal sin. The Church has held such views since at least 1738.

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The Catholic Church condemns Freemasonry -

Freemasons haven't shown much liking for the Church either. In 1886, prominent Freemason Albert Pike called the papacy "the torturer and curse of humanity."

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At least 15 American presidents were supposedly Freemasons -

According to the Truman Library, the US presidents who were confirmed to be Masons includes George Washington, James Monroe, Andrew Jackson, Andrew Johnson, William McKinley, and Theodore Roosevelt.

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At least 15 American presidents were supposedly Freemasons -

William Howard Taft, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Harry S. Truman were also Masons. It's also generally believed, but not historically confirmed, that Thomas Jefferson and James Madison were also Freemasons.

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There were many other famous Masons -

Apart from the many US presidents, there were many other notable figures who were also Freemasons. These include Winston Churchill, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Davy Crockett, Duke Ellington, Nat King Cole, Henry Ford, Paul Robeson, and astronaut Buzz Aldrin.

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Secret ceremonies -

One of the most intriguing parts for people outside the Masons are the ceremonies. Held four times a year, it's officially to welcome new members. However, its contents have always been a closely-guarded secret.

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Secret ceremonies -

Scripted words and actions are spoken or performed during the ceremony. And the master does the majority of the talking.

Sources: (Mental Floss) (History) (BBC)

See also: Conspiracy theories that turned out to be true 

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