During The Golden Age of Piracy, thousands of buccaneers terrorized the high seas and became legends. Their exploits spawned fantastic stories of larger-than-life characters, billion dollar heists and buried treasure that to this day, has never been found. Are these stories simply tall tales, or is the truth stranger than fiction?

There are stories of advanced technology, from the ancient past, that seem too impossible to be true. Some are spoken of in legends and myths, while others can be seen today with the naked eye. These technologies challenge everything we think we know about the innovation of our ancestors. Is our most cutting-edge modern technology, merely reinventions of those that existed thousands of years ago? And if it is, where did these incredible lost inventions go?

People go missing every day, but throughout history, there have been strange and eerie disappearances that continue to capture the world's attention. Whether it's the missing case of a world famous icon, like Amelia Earhart, or even entire groups of people that seem to vanish without a trace, these mysterious disappearances have spawned countless theories, but no definitive answers.

Since the dawn of human history, mankind has faced the ever present threat of organisms so small, that they are invisible to the naked eye. While modern science has stopped many dangerous viruses and bacteria in their tracks, there is a growing concern, that contagious germs could be traveling through the deadly vacuum of space. Will Earth's next pandemic come from another world?

With over 5 billion copies sold, the Bible is the best-selling book of all time. Could there be physical proof for some of the Bible's most iconic, miraculous stories? Today, many believe that there are physical objects in museums and churches around the world that are not only the genuine holy relics from the Bible, but also, that these incredible artifacts are still imbued with divine power. Could tantalizing clues suggest that some of these famous Bible relics are, in fact, authentic?

There are islands throughout the world that despite their scenic and tranquil beauty, evoke nothing but fear and dread. These islands are riddled with dark histories, unspeakable tragedy, and the belief by locals that they are cursed. Are the misfortunes experienced by the inhabitants of these islands simply a series of tragic coincidences, or is it possible that scattered across the planet there are... Islands of the Damned?

Isolated along the southernmost part of the planet, Antarctica is best known as the frozen continent. Yet, this untouched land has captivated brave explorers for centuries.

For thousands of years, mankind has been fascinated by the idea of creating mechanical servants to make our lives easier. Today, those dreams of the past are increasingly becoming our reality.

The idea that a handful of shadowy organizations control world events has been around for centuries. Today, the Mafia, Skull & Bones, and the Freemasons are just a few of the mysterious groups said to meet behind closed doors, keeping dangerous secrets. What are the codes and rituals that define their beliefs? And is it possible that secret societies not only shaped the events that defined the 20 th century, but will continue to shape the future?

Throughout history, powerful nations around the world have enlisted spies to serve as unique tools of warfare. These secret agents are often tasked with infiltrating organizations and even performing the act of assassination.

From 1861-1865, the United States of America found itself in a bloody four-year struggle known as the Civil War. While history often focuses on the politics and battles of this bloody discord, there are fascinating stories of the people and places that played a role in the "War Between the States".

Urban legends are modern folklore rooted in mystery where chilling tales merge fact and fiction and blur the line between myth and reality. From the eerie reports of spontaneous human combustion and the hunt for the Highgate Vampire, to the unsettling boogeymen known as the Men in Black appearing after UFO sightings, could these thrilling legends, echoed over generations and believed by many, be more than just stories?

Throughout history, there have been men of science who pushed the boundaries of experimentation to the edge of madness. They were renegades known for bizarre and often unethical experiments involving human-animal hybrids, mind control devices, and even unimaginable torture.

From the 17th to the early 20th century, America saw an unprecedented era of rapid western expansion. Millions moved west to lay claim to find their fortunes in gold and land for the taking in search of the American Dream.