Can You Keep a Secret? Trivia Quiz

Answer: Barack Obama

Founded in 1832, the Skull and Bones Society is an undergraduate senior secret society at Yale University. This fraternity is also called The Order, Order 322, or The Brotherhood of Death. Each year at Yale University, only 15 juniors are chosen for lifetime membership in this club. One of the founders of this very exclusive secret society was the father of President William Howard Taft.

Some famous members of this secret society include President William Howard Taft, President George H.W. Bush, Secretary of State John Kerry, Secretary of Treasury Steven Mnuchin, and President George W. Bush.

Answer: Adam Weishaupt

Born in the Electorate of Bavaria, Adam Weishaupt (1748-1830) was a German philosopher and founder of the "Illuminati," derived from "Iluminatus" which translates to "enlightened." In 1777, Weishaupt was initiated into a Masonic lodge in Munich. Initially, his secret society, the Illuminati, was designated for a group of outstanding and enlightened individuals.

Weishaupt's secret society is steeped in controversy. Since the time of its founding, its activities and doctrines have been subjected to mixed interpretations. The secret society was believed to be a network of spies and counter-spies. It's also believed that the Illuminati emphasized egalitarianism in society along with anti-government and anti-religion messages. The Church and monarchies of Europe feared Weishaupt's Illuminati for its radicalism, prompting these institutions to forbid Masonic lodges.

In popular culture today, the term Illuminati has become synonymous with the general concept of a cryptic secret society that uses esoteric symbols.

Answer: False

Masonic lodges in the 18th-century Enlightenment Era attracted individuals who questioned organized religion. These individuals looked beyond traditional institutions such as the Church and maintained an interest in deism, scientific discoveries, and other new philosophies that came in conflict with traditional thought at the time.

The Catholic Church feared radicalism and heretical beliefs from Masonic lodges, with the Pope in 1738 forbidding Catholics from participating in secret societies such as Masonic lodges. Catholics who joined secret societies were threatened with excommunication from the Church.

These papal bans on secret societies persisted well into the 20th century until the time of the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) when the Catholic Church underwent various reformations.

Answer: The Magic Flute

Mozart's opera "Die Zauberflöte" or "The Magic Flute" is known as a Masonic opera due to how the opera derived inspiration from Freemasonry. It was written and first performed in 1791. The opera's German libretto was written by Emanuel Schikaneder. The opera reflects the Masonic emphasis on philosophy, self-improvement, and esoteric wisdom while moving between earthy comedy and mysticism. One of the most memorable parts of "The Magic Flute" is the "Queen of the Night" aria.

Answer: Hellfire Club

The Hellfire Club refers to Francis Dashwood's Order of the Friars of St. Francis of Wycombe. Francis Dashwood was an English politician who founded the Hellfire Club in the 18th century. The club motto was "Fais ce que tu voudras" (Do what thou wilt).

The high-society individuals in this club included English politicians and writers. John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich, was believed to be a member. However, the exact membership records were not preserved. Benjamin Franklin was known to have attended these club meetings in 1758 during his time in England. Like other exclusive societies, the Hellfire Club inspired many rumors about members' activities.

Answer: Fenians

The Fenians were part of an Irish nationalist secret society. They operated as the Fenian Brotherhood and the Irish Republican Brotherhood, supporting Irish independence from British rule. The Fenians were active mostly in Ireland, the United States, and Britain, particularly during the mid-nineteenth century.

Answer: True

Secret societies such as the Freemasons excluded female membership for most of history. When Freemasonry reached its peak of popularity in the 18th century, the exclusively male members emphasized fraternity and equality among men. Membership in masonic lodges has long been dominated by men, even up to modern times.

Answer: The Morgan Affair

Anti-Masonic sentiment grew in the early 19th century after a mysterious incident involving the arrest and disappearance of William Morgan, a member of a Masonic lodge in New York. After a disagreement with other Masons, Morgan threatened to publish the secrets of the Masons. Those anxious to prevent publication targeted Morgan and Morgan was arrested on a charge of theft.

In 1826, Morgan was released by two men claiming to have paid his debt. Afterward, Morgan was taken away and never heard from again. Speculation emerged that Morgan was murdered by local Freemasons, leading to a massive search effort where no evidence was found.

However, this incident deepened the public's mistrust of Freemasonry. An Anti-Masonic political party was formed in 1827, launching the first national third-party presidential candidate in the United States.

Answer: False

George Washington was involved in Freemasonry along with other figures of the American Revolution such as Benjamin Franklin and Paul Revere. Washington joined the Masonic Lodge at Fredericksburg, Virginia. Throughout his life, he participated in Masonic ceremonies.

His most significant Masonic activity took place in 1793 when he presided at the Masonic ceremonial laying of the United States Capitol cornerstone.

Answer: Detroit

Detroit, Michigan, is known for more than just the American automobile industry. Detroit, Michigan, also has the world's largest Masonic temple. The Detroit Masonic Temple opened in 1926 and is home to various Masonic organizations. The U.S. government has listed the Detroit Masonic Temple on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Detroit Masonic Temple is 210 feet high and dominates the surrounding neighborhood. This towering building features multiple ballrooms, theaters, and banquet halls.

There are also many recreational facilities such as a swimming pool and bowling alley. The Detroit Masonic Temple signifies the growth of Freemasonry in the history of the United States along with Freemasonry's presence in community organizing.