"Mysteries at the Museum" Monumental Mysteries Special

1 00:00:01,735 --> 00:00:03,167 SINISTER STATUES... 2 00:00:03,170 --> 00:00:06,371 (man) AT NIGHT THIS FIGURE TRANSFORMS 3 00:00:06,374 --> 00:00:09,540 INTO AN ANGEL OF DEATH. 4 00:00:09,543 --> 00:00:11,376 (Don) MYSTERIOUS MONOLITHS... 5 00:00:11,379 --> 00:00:13,845 (man) THERE ARE CERTAIN PEOPLE WHO TEND TO LOOK 6 00:00:13,848 --> 00:00:17,715 AT THE WASHINGTON MONUMENT AS SOMETHING SATANIC. 7 00:00:17,718 --> 00:00:19,951 AND COLOSSAL CARVINGS... 8 00:00:19,954 --> 00:00:23,087 (woman) SOME PEOPLE THINK THERE COULD BE A CAVE OF GOLD 9 00:00:23,090 --> 00:00:26,024 LOCATED BEHIND THE FACES OF MOUNT RUSHMORE. 10 00:00:26,027 --> 00:00:29,193 (Don) SOMETIMES THE GREATEST SECRETS 11 00:00:29,196 --> 00:00:31,562 LIE HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT. 12 00:00:35,368 --> 00:00:36,868 I'M DON WILDMAN, 13 00:00:36,871 --> 00:00:39,437 AND THESE ARE MONUMENTAL MYSTERIES. 14 00:00:39,440 --> 00:00:42,440 ♪ 15 00:00:42,443 --> 00:00:45,777 Closed Captions provided by Scripps Networks, LLC. 16 00:00:45,780 --> 00:00:49,147 Captioned by Closed Captioning Services, Inc. 17 00:00:49,150 --> 00:00:51,416 (Don) LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, 18 00:00:51,419 --> 00:00:55,019 THE EPICENTER OF THE AMERICAN MOVIE INDUSTRY 19 00:00:55,022 --> 00:00:56,988 AND THE EPITOME OF GLITZ AND GLAMOUR. 20 00:00:56,991 --> 00:00:59,590 FOR NEARLY A CENTURY, 21 00:00:59,593 --> 00:01:02,927 ONE ICONIC LANDMARK HAS LOOMED OVER IT ALL, 22 00:01:02,930 --> 00:01:04,929 WELCOMING LEGIONS OF RISING STARS 23 00:01:04,932 --> 00:01:08,566 SEEKING FAME AND FORTUNE IN TINSELTOWN. 24 00:01:08,569 --> 00:01:10,735 IT IS MADE UP OF NINE LETTERS. 25 00:01:10,738 --> 00:01:12,703 THEY ARE 50 FEET HIGH, 26 00:01:12,706 --> 00:01:14,672 AND THEY ARE EACH 30 FEET ACROSS 27 00:01:14,675 --> 00:01:18,276 AND SPELL OUT THE NAME OF A PLACE 28 00:01:18,279 --> 00:01:21,079 THAT IS KNOWN AROUND THE WORLD. 29 00:01:21,082 --> 00:01:23,581 ORIGINALLY ERECTED IN 1923 30 00:01:23,584 --> 00:01:25,917 AS AN ADVERTISEMENT FOR A HOUSING DEVELOPMENT 31 00:01:25,920 --> 00:01:27,885 CALLED HOLLYWOODLAND, 32 00:01:27,888 --> 00:01:30,721 THIS WORLD-FAMOUS SIGN HAS, OVER THE YEARS, 33 00:01:30,724 --> 00:01:32,723 LOST A FEW OF ITS LETTERS 34 00:01:32,726 --> 00:01:35,493 BUT HAS GAINED A MUCH GREATER SIGNIFICANCE. 35 00:01:35,496 --> 00:01:37,161 THE SIGN BECAME THE SYMBOL 36 00:01:37,164 --> 00:01:39,597 OF PEOPLE'S ASPIRATIONS 37 00:01:39,600 --> 00:01:41,599 TO BECOME THAT MOVIE STAR 38 00:01:41,602 --> 00:01:44,936 THAT THEY HAD ALWAYS DREAMED OF. 39 00:01:44,939 --> 00:01:48,606 BUT AUTHOR DENISE HAMILTON KNOWS 40 00:01:48,609 --> 00:01:50,274 THESE MASSIVE WHITE CHARACTERS 41 00:01:50,277 --> 00:01:52,110 ALSO HAVE A DARK SIDE. 42 00:01:53,913 --> 00:01:56,080 FOR DECADES, RUMORS HAVE CIRCULATED 43 00:01:56,083 --> 00:01:59,417 THAT THE HOLLYWOOD SIGN IS HAUNTED. 44 00:01:59,420 --> 00:02:03,054 SO WHAT IS THE TRUTH BEHIND THESE PARANORMAL TALES? 45 00:02:05,391 --> 00:02:07,992 1990, 46 00:02:07,995 --> 00:02:09,927 LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA-- 47 00:02:09,930 --> 00:02:12,396 A YOUNG COUPLE IS OUT WALKING THEIR DOG 48 00:02:12,399 --> 00:02:15,800 ON A SUNNY AFTERNOON IN BEACHWOOD CANYON. 49 00:02:15,803 --> 00:02:17,768 BUT AS THEY MAKE THEIR WAY UP THE HILL 50 00:02:17,771 --> 00:02:20,104 AND APPROACH THE HOLLYWOOD SIGN, 51 00:02:20,107 --> 00:02:23,374 THEIR NORMALLY PLAYFUL PET BEGINS ACTING UNUSUAL. (dog barking) 52 00:02:23,377 --> 00:02:25,343 THE DOG RAN BACK TO THEM 53 00:02:25,346 --> 00:02:27,345 AND WAS VERY UNEASY. 54 00:02:27,348 --> 00:02:29,514 CURIOUS AS TO WHAT COULD BE CAUSING THEIR DOG 55 00:02:29,517 --> 00:02:31,716 TO BEHAVE SO STRANGELY, 56 00:02:31,719 --> 00:02:35,086 THE TWO HIKERS HEAD UP THE TRAIL TO INVESTIGATE 57 00:02:35,089 --> 00:02:37,588 BUT ARE SUDDENLY STOPPED IN THEIR TRACKS. 58 00:02:37,591 --> 00:02:41,259 THEY SAW A GHOSTLY PALE BLOND GIRL 59 00:02:41,262 --> 00:02:44,095 WEARING 1930s CLOTHES, 60 00:02:44,098 --> 00:02:46,230 KIND OF FORLORNLY DRIFTING 61 00:02:46,233 --> 00:02:48,199 AROUND THE HOLLYWOOD SIGN. 62 00:02:48,202 --> 00:02:50,968 THEN RIGHT BEFORE THEIR EYES, 63 00:02:50,971 --> 00:02:54,739 THE ILLUSORY FIGURE COMPLETELY DISAPPEARS. 64 00:02:57,377 --> 00:03:00,044 OVER THE YEARS, MORE WITNESSES COME FORWARD 65 00:03:00,047 --> 00:03:02,547 TO REPORT SIGHTINGS OF THIS ENIGMATIC GIRL, 66 00:03:02,550 --> 00:03:05,216 WHO SEEMINGLY HAS CLAIMED THE HOLLYWOOD SIGN 67 00:03:05,219 --> 00:03:07,051 AS HER HOME. 68 00:03:07,054 --> 00:03:09,554 EVEN EMPLOYEES RESPONSIBLE FOR MAINTAINING 69 00:03:09,557 --> 00:03:13,191 THE SURROUNDING PARK AREA TELL OF BIZARRE OCCURRENCES 70 00:03:13,194 --> 00:03:15,693 IN THE HILLS NEAR THE FAMOUS LETTERS. 71 00:03:15,696 --> 00:03:18,863 IT IS SURROUNDED 72 00:03:18,866 --> 00:03:21,499 BY AN ELECTRIFIED FENCE 73 00:03:21,502 --> 00:03:23,801 AND SECURITY SYSTEM. 74 00:03:23,804 --> 00:03:26,003 AND THERE HAVE BEEN ACCOUNTS BY RANGERS 75 00:03:26,006 --> 00:03:28,940 OF THE SENSORS BEING SET OFF BY SOMETHING. 76 00:03:28,943 --> 00:03:31,409 AND WHEN THE RANGERS GO TO INVESTIGATE, 77 00:03:31,412 --> 00:03:33,444 THERE'S NOTHING THERE. 78 00:03:33,447 --> 00:03:36,414 WE DON'T KNOW WHAT'S SETTING OFF THOSE SENSORS. 79 00:03:36,417 --> 00:03:40,251 SO WHO IS THIS MYSTERIOUS WOMAN, 80 00:03:40,254 --> 00:03:42,587 AND HOW DID HER TRAGIC STORY 81 00:03:42,590 --> 00:03:44,255 TARNISH THIS SYMBOL 82 00:03:44,258 --> 00:03:47,158 OF HOLLYWOOD SPLENDOR? 83 00:03:47,161 --> 00:03:51,062 THE TALE BEGINS IN 1931 IN NEW YORK CITY. 84 00:03:51,065 --> 00:03:53,764 23-YEAR-OLD PEG ENTWISTLE 85 00:03:53,767 --> 00:03:55,533 IS AN AMBITIOUS YOUNG ACTRESS 86 00:03:55,536 --> 00:03:57,969 TAKING BROADWAY STAGES BY STORM 87 00:03:57,972 --> 00:04:01,305 WITH HER MIX OF GLAMOROUS LOOKS AND NATURAL TALENT. 88 00:04:01,308 --> 00:04:04,275 SHE WAS A FAIRLY WELL-KNOWN ACTRESS 89 00:04:04,278 --> 00:04:06,277 IN NEW YORK CITY. 90 00:04:06,280 --> 00:04:09,780 BUT LIKE SO MANY YOUNG HOPEFUL ACTRESSES, 91 00:04:09,783 --> 00:04:11,949 SHE WAS DRAWN TO HOLLYWOOD, 92 00:04:11,952 --> 00:04:13,884 TO THE ALLURE OF THE MOVIES. 93 00:04:13,887 --> 00:04:16,887 IN APRIL OF 1932, 94 00:04:16,890 --> 00:04:18,889 PEG MAKES THE PILGRIMAGE WEST, 95 00:04:18,892 --> 00:04:21,492 HOPING TO LAND HER BIG BREAK. 96 00:04:21,495 --> 00:04:24,362 AND WITHIN MONTHS OF HER ARRIVAL, SHE DOES, 97 00:04:24,365 --> 00:04:28,866 SIGNING A CONTRACT WITH STUDIO GIANT RKO. 98 00:04:28,869 --> 00:04:32,703 SHE GOT A ROLE IN A MOVIE CALLED "THIRTEEN WOMEN." 99 00:04:32,706 --> 00:04:34,739 THIS WAS HER CHANCE. 100 00:04:34,742 --> 00:04:37,742 SHE'S DESPERATE TO MAKE IT. SHE'S COME OUT WEST. 101 00:04:37,745 --> 00:04:39,910 SHE HAS NO MONEY. 102 00:04:39,913 --> 00:04:42,780 IF THIS MOVIE DID WELL, 103 00:04:42,783 --> 00:04:44,615 SHE COULD HITCH HER STAR TO IT. 104 00:04:44,618 --> 00:04:48,552 BUT AFTER A SERIES OF TEST SCREENINGS, 105 00:04:48,555 --> 00:04:50,521 "THIRTEEN WOMEN" IS PANNED BY CRITICS. 106 00:04:50,524 --> 00:04:54,258 SO THE MOVIE'S PRODUCERS CUT MOST OF PEG'S SCREEN TIME 107 00:04:54,261 --> 00:04:56,894 AND END HER CONTRACT. 108 00:04:58,931 --> 00:05:01,766 THIS IS THE GREAT CURSE OF HOLLYWOOD. 109 00:05:01,769 --> 00:05:03,834 THERE WAS NO OTHER STUDIO WORK. 110 00:05:03,837 --> 00:05:07,538 THERE WERE NO THEATER ROLES COMING HER WAY. 111 00:05:07,541 --> 00:05:11,309 PEG ENTWISTLE WAS REALLY FACING THE ABYSS. 112 00:05:11,312 --> 00:05:13,177 WITH HER CAREER IN TATTERS, 113 00:05:13,180 --> 00:05:15,413 PEG HATCHES A SHOCKING PLAN 114 00:05:15,416 --> 00:05:17,915 TO CEMENT HER LEGACY IN HOLLYWOOD 115 00:05:17,918 --> 00:05:19,617 FOR ALL ETERNITY. 116 00:05:21,621 --> 00:05:24,922 ON SEPTEMBER 16th, 117 00:05:24,925 --> 00:05:27,124 PEG LEAVES HER HOUSE IN BEACHWOOD CANYON 118 00:05:27,127 --> 00:05:28,893 I'M SURE SHE COULDN'T HAVE HELPED 119 00:05:28,896 --> 00:05:32,363 BUT TO HAVE SEEN THE SIGN UP IN THE HILLS 120 00:05:32,366 --> 00:05:34,198 THAT FOR HER REPRESENTED 121 00:05:34,201 --> 00:05:37,735 EVERYTHING SHE WANTED SO BADLY. 122 00:05:37,738 --> 00:05:40,438 SHE BEGAN PULLING HER WAY, 123 00:05:40,441 --> 00:05:43,808 HIKING, STUMBLING, CRAWLING UP TO THE SIGN. 124 00:05:43,811 --> 00:05:47,178 FINALLY PEG REACHES THE TOP OF THE HILL, 125 00:05:47,181 --> 00:05:49,280 BUT SHE DOESN'T STOP THERE. 126 00:05:49,283 --> 00:05:52,550 SHE CLIMBS UP THE LADDER BEHIND THE "H." 127 00:05:52,553 --> 00:05:54,218 STANDING ON THE LEDGE 128 00:05:54,221 --> 00:05:56,053 OF THIS GIANT WHITE STRUCTURE, 129 00:05:56,056 --> 00:05:58,789 PEG LOOKS DOWN TOWARDS THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES, 130 00:05:58,792 --> 00:06:02,226 SHIMMERING IN THE VALLEY BENEATH HER. 131 00:06:02,229 --> 00:06:05,763 AND THIS IS THE MOMENT OF TRUTH. 132 00:06:05,766 --> 00:06:08,032 IS SHE GOING TO DO IT? 133 00:06:08,035 --> 00:06:10,901 SHE TAKES A DEEP BREATH AND THEN... 134 00:06:12,972 --> 00:06:15,973 JUMPS INTO INFAMY. 135 00:06:15,976 --> 00:06:18,209 SHE MADE THE MOST DRAMATIC EXIT 136 00:06:18,212 --> 00:06:21,545 OF ANY HOLLYWOOD ACTRESS 137 00:06:21,548 --> 00:06:23,247 THAT WE'VE EVER SEEN. 138 00:06:23,250 --> 00:06:25,583 HER BODY IS FOUND 139 00:06:25,586 --> 00:06:28,419 ON SEPTEMBER 18, 1932, 140 00:06:28,422 --> 00:06:30,755 AND THE PRESS SEIZES ON HER STORY. 141 00:06:30,758 --> 00:06:33,023 THEY CALLED HER 142 00:06:33,026 --> 00:06:36,026 THE "HOLLYWOOD SIGN GIRL." 143 00:06:36,029 --> 00:06:38,362 THOUGH HER DESPERATE PLAN BROUGHT HER YOUNG LIFE 144 00:06:38,365 --> 00:06:40,297 TO AN EARLY AND TRAGIC END, 145 00:06:40,300 --> 00:06:43,467 IT SEEMS THAT PEG ENTWISTLE SUCCEEDED 146 00:06:43,470 --> 00:06:45,469 IN LEAVING HER MARK IN HOLLYWOOD, 147 00:06:45,472 --> 00:06:47,638 WHERE ALMOST 80 YEARS LATER 148 00:06:47,641 --> 00:06:49,640 HER GHOST REPORTEDLY CLINGS 149 00:06:49,643 --> 00:06:51,642 ONTO THE EMBLEM OF FAME AND FORTUNE 150 00:06:51,645 --> 00:06:53,511 THAT ONCE LURED HER WEST. 151 00:06:55,581 --> 00:06:58,115 IF HER GHOST DOESN'T HAUNT THE HOLLYWOOD SIGN, 152 00:06:58,118 --> 00:07:00,951 THEN IT CERTAINLY HAUNTS THE IMAGINATIONS 153 00:07:00,954 --> 00:07:03,254 AND THE PSYCHES OF ALL THE PEOPLE 154 00:07:03,257 --> 00:07:05,956 WHO GO UP TO THE HOLLYWOOD SIGN. 155 00:07:05,959 --> 00:07:09,126 AND TODAY THESE ICONIC WHITE LETTERS 156 00:07:09,129 --> 00:07:10,761 STILL STAND, 157 00:07:10,764 --> 00:07:13,431 INSPIRING THE HOPES AND DREAMS 158 00:07:13,434 --> 00:07:16,367 OF LEGIONS OF NEW HOLLYWOOD HOPEFULS. 159 00:07:20,373 --> 00:07:22,506 NEW YORK CITY-- 160 00:07:22,509 --> 00:07:25,009 AMERICA'S CULTURAL CAPITAL IS BRIMMING 161 00:07:25,012 --> 00:07:26,777 WITH STUNNING FEATS OF ARCHITECTURE 162 00:07:26,780 --> 00:07:29,213 AND AWE-INSPIRING WORKS OF ART 163 00:07:29,216 --> 00:07:31,382 THAT SHOWCASE THE CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION 164 00:07:31,385 --> 00:07:33,284 OF ITS DIVERSE POPULATION. 165 00:07:33,287 --> 00:07:36,053 BUT TO AUTHOR CHAD MILLMAN, 166 00:07:36,056 --> 00:07:38,756 NO ONE STRUCTURE EMBODIES THE SPIRIT 167 00:07:38,759 --> 00:07:40,624 OF THIS METROPOLIS BETTER 168 00:07:40,627 --> 00:07:42,793 THAN AN ENORMOUS COPPER SCULPTURE 169 00:07:42,796 --> 00:07:44,562 TOWERING OVER GOTHAM'S HARBOR. 170 00:07:47,633 --> 00:07:49,934 (Chad) IT'S MORE THAN 300 FEET TALL 171 00:07:49,937 --> 00:07:53,103 AND WEIGHS A STAGGERING 172 00:07:53,106 --> 00:07:55,773 450,000 POUNDS. 173 00:07:55,776 --> 00:07:58,442 THIS IS THE STATUE OF LIBERTY, 174 00:07:58,445 --> 00:08:00,444 THE ICONIC CROWNED FIGURE 175 00:08:00,447 --> 00:08:02,112 THAT FOR OVER A CENTURY 176 00:08:02,115 --> 00:08:03,781 HAS WELCOMED THE WORLD'S TIRED, 177 00:08:03,784 --> 00:08:05,449 POOR, AND HUDDLED MASSES. 178 00:08:05,452 --> 00:08:08,285 IT'S WITHOUT A DOUBT 179 00:08:08,288 --> 00:08:11,188 THE GREATEST SYMBOL OF WHAT AMERICA REPRESENTS. 180 00:08:13,993 --> 00:08:16,927 FOLLOWING ITS COMPLETION IN 1886 181 00:08:16,930 --> 00:08:19,797 VISITORS LINED UP TO TAKE IN 182 00:08:19,800 --> 00:08:21,465 THE STUNNING PANORAMA 183 00:08:21,468 --> 00:08:24,335 FROM LADY LIBERTY'S HIGHEST POINT. 184 00:08:24,338 --> 00:08:27,004 GUESTS COULD CLIMB ALL THE WAY TO THE VERY TOP OF THE TORCH 185 00:08:27,007 --> 00:08:29,173 AND GET A VIEW OF THE CITY BEYOND. 186 00:08:29,176 --> 00:08:32,710 THEN ONE NIGHT THAT ALL CHANGED. 187 00:08:32,713 --> 00:08:35,346 THE STATUE OF LIBERTY WAS NEARLY OBLITERATED. 188 00:08:37,483 --> 00:08:39,817 SO WHAT TERRIFYING EVENT 189 00:08:39,820 --> 00:08:41,752 THREATENED TO DESTROY 190 00:08:41,755 --> 00:08:44,088 THE COUNTRY'S SHINING BEACON OF FREEDOM, 191 00:08:44,091 --> 00:08:46,757 AND WHO WAS BEHIND IT? 192 00:08:46,760 --> 00:08:50,060 IT'S JULY 30, 1916. 193 00:08:50,063 --> 00:08:53,197 DARKNESS COVERS A PEACEFUL NEW YORK CITY. 194 00:08:53,200 --> 00:08:55,766 BUT AT EXACTLY 2:08 A.M., 195 00:08:55,769 --> 00:08:58,903 ITS SLEEPING CITIZENS ARE SHOCKED AWAKE 196 00:08:58,906 --> 00:09:01,071 BY A THUNDEROUS EXPLOSION. 197 00:09:01,074 --> 00:09:03,407 IN MIDTOWN MANHATTAN, 198 00:09:03,410 --> 00:09:06,844 THE BUILDINGS' WINDOWS WERE SHATTERED. 199 00:09:06,847 --> 00:09:08,846 AND CARS WERE CAREENING INTO EACH OTHER. 200 00:09:08,849 --> 00:09:11,882 NOBODY REALLY KNEW WHAT WAS HAPPENING. 201 00:09:11,885 --> 00:09:13,717 ALL THEY KNEW WAS THAT EVERYWHERE AROUND THEM 202 00:09:13,720 --> 00:09:16,253 THE SKY WAS TURNING ORANGE. 203 00:09:16,256 --> 00:09:18,756 IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE COLOSSAL BLAST, 204 00:09:18,759 --> 00:09:22,126 NEW YORKERS STRUGGLED TO MAKE SENSE OF THE SUDDEN CALAMITY, 205 00:09:22,129 --> 00:09:24,361 WHILE THE SCOPE OF ITS DEVASTATION 206 00:09:24,364 --> 00:09:26,564 BECOMES FRIGHTENINGLY CLEAR. 207 00:09:26,567 --> 00:09:28,399 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF DOLLARS 208 00:09:28,402 --> 00:09:30,067 FOR ALL THE DAMAGE THAT HAD BEEN CAUSED 209 00:09:30,070 --> 00:09:32,236 FROM SKYSCRAPERS IN THE MIDDLE OF MANHATTAN 210 00:09:32,239 --> 00:09:35,239 TO THE WAREHOUSES LINING THE WATERFRONT IN NEW JERSEY 211 00:09:35,242 --> 00:09:37,241 RAN INTO THE TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS. 212 00:09:37,244 --> 00:09:40,544 THE CITY'S OFFICES AND PORTS AREN'T THE ONLY STRUCTURES 213 00:09:40,547 --> 00:09:43,948 TO SUFFER THE WRATH OF THE SEISMIC EXPLOSION. 214 00:09:43,951 --> 00:09:45,950 THE DAMAGE TO THE STATUE OF LIBERTY 215 00:09:45,953 --> 00:09:47,685 WAS MASSIVE. 216 00:09:47,688 --> 00:09:51,522 IN ADDITION TO THE WOUNDS ENDURED BY HER FACADE, 217 00:09:51,525 --> 00:09:53,524 RIVETS IN THE STATUE'S RIGHT ARM, 218 00:09:53,527 --> 00:09:55,526 WHICH HOLD HER TORCH ALOFT, 219 00:09:55,529 --> 00:09:57,328 HAVE BEEN DISLODGED, 220 00:09:57,331 --> 00:10:00,164 PLACING AMERICA'S GUIDING LIGHT 221 00:10:00,167 --> 00:10:02,299 ON THE VERGE OF COLLAPSE. 222 00:10:04,170 --> 00:10:08,505 SO WHERE DID THIS CATACLYSMIC BLAST COME FROM? 223 00:10:08,508 --> 00:10:11,075 THE EXPLOSION TOOK PLACE ON A SPIT OF LAND 224 00:10:11,078 --> 00:10:12,743 CALLED BLACK TOM ISLAND, 225 00:10:12,746 --> 00:10:15,579 WHICH WAS THE MOST IMPORTANT DEPOT IN THE UNITED STATES 226 00:10:15,582 --> 00:10:17,748 IN TERMS OF STORING MUNITIONS. 227 00:10:17,751 --> 00:10:20,084 A MAJOR REPOSITORY FOR HOUSING WEAPONS 228 00:10:20,087 --> 00:10:22,086 BEING SHIPPED TO THE BATTLEFIELDS 229 00:10:22,089 --> 00:10:24,021 OF WORLD WAR I, 230 00:10:24,024 --> 00:10:26,857 BLACK TOM ISLAND HOLDS OVER 2 MILLION POUNDS 231 00:10:26,860 --> 00:10:29,393 OF AMMUNITION, BLACK POWDER, 232 00:10:29,396 --> 00:10:31,562 AND TNT. 233 00:10:31,565 --> 00:10:34,398 BUT WHY DID THIS ARSENAL DETONATE 234 00:10:34,401 --> 00:10:36,133 IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT? 235 00:10:36,136 --> 00:10:38,902 THE AUTHORITIES THOUGHT THAT THE SECURITY GUARDS 236 00:10:38,905 --> 00:10:41,672 WHO WERE CHARGED WITH PROTECTING BLACK TOM OVERNIGHT 237 00:10:41,675 --> 00:10:44,975 HAD CAUSED A FIRE IN THE RAILROAD YARD. 238 00:10:44,978 --> 00:10:47,911 IT'S SUSPECTED THAT SPECIAL POTS 239 00:10:47,914 --> 00:10:51,115 LIT TO WARD OFF MOSQUITOES ACCIDENTALLY SET 240 00:10:51,118 --> 00:10:52,983 THE SURROUNDING STRUCTURES ABLAZE, 241 00:10:52,986 --> 00:10:54,785 EVENTUALLY IGNITING 242 00:10:54,788 --> 00:10:57,788 THE STOCKPILES OF MUNITIONS. 243 00:10:57,791 --> 00:11:00,290 INITIALLY THERE IS INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE 244 00:11:00,293 --> 00:11:02,760 TO SAY DEFINITIVELY WHAT REALLY HAPPENED. 245 00:11:04,630 --> 00:11:07,398 THEN AS INVESTIGATORS DIG DEEPER, 246 00:11:07,401 --> 00:11:10,434 THEY SEE A SUSPICIOUS PATTERN EMERGING, 247 00:11:10,437 --> 00:11:15,305 WHICH GIVES RISE TO AN UNSETTLING NEW THEORY. 248 00:11:15,308 --> 00:11:17,641 THE EXPLOSION ON BLACK TOM ISLAND 249 00:11:17,644 --> 00:11:21,478 CAME ON THE HEELS OF HUNDREDS OF EXPLOSIONS 250 00:11:21,481 --> 00:11:24,415 THAT HAD STARTED AT MUNITIONS DEPOTS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY. 251 00:11:24,418 --> 00:11:27,551 SO WHEN THIS HAPPENED, THE AMERICAN GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS 252 00:11:27,554 --> 00:11:29,553 STARTED TO THINK THAT MAYBE THERE WAS A LINK 253 00:11:29,556 --> 00:11:31,689 BETWEEN ALL OF THEM. 254 00:11:31,692 --> 00:11:33,190 SO WAS THE EXPLOSION 255 00:11:33,193 --> 00:11:34,858 THAT NEARLY ANNIHILATED THE STATUE OF LIBERTY 256 00:11:34,861 --> 00:11:36,860 SIMPLY A FREAK ACCIDENT 257 00:11:36,863 --> 00:11:40,130 OR PART OF A SINISTER PLOT? 258 00:11:44,937 --> 00:11:46,603 IT'S 1916. 259 00:11:46,606 --> 00:11:49,173 A MASSIVE EXPLOSION AT AN ARSENAL IN NEW YORK HARBOR 260 00:11:49,176 --> 00:11:51,275 HAS CLAIMED THE LIVES OF SEVERAL CITIZENS 261 00:11:51,278 --> 00:11:52,943 AND BADLY DAMAGED 262 00:11:52,946 --> 00:11:55,112 AMERICA'S BEACON OF FREEDOM, 263 00:11:55,115 --> 00:11:56,814 THE STATUE OF LIBERTY. 264 00:11:56,817 --> 00:12:00,250 SO WHO OR WHAT IS RESPONSIBLE? 265 00:12:00,253 --> 00:12:02,519 TO ANSWER THIS QUESTION, 266 00:12:02,522 --> 00:12:06,190 THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT EMBARKS ON AN INVESTIGATION 267 00:12:06,193 --> 00:12:08,559 TO UNCOVER THE TRUTH BEHIND THE DEVASTATING BLAST 268 00:12:08,562 --> 00:12:10,494 ON BLACK TOM ISLAND. 269 00:12:10,497 --> 00:12:13,097 BUT FOR THE NEXT 15 YEARS, 270 00:12:13,100 --> 00:12:16,500 DEFINITIVE PROOF REMAINS ELUSIVE. 271 00:12:16,503 --> 00:12:19,002 (Chad) NOBODY'S REALLY ABLE TO CONCLUDE 272 00:12:19,005 --> 00:12:21,638 WHO CAUSED THE EXPLOSION AT BLACK TOM ISLAND. 273 00:12:21,641 --> 00:12:23,640 THEN IN 1931, 274 00:12:23,643 --> 00:12:26,477 INVESTIGATORS GET A BREAK IN THE CASE 275 00:12:26,480 --> 00:12:29,480 WHEN A FORMER SPY EMPLOYED BY THE GERMAN GOVERNMENT 276 00:12:29,483 --> 00:12:31,982 HANDS OVER A LETTER THAT EVENTUALLY SERVES 277 00:12:31,985 --> 00:12:35,085 TO EXPOSE THE MASTERMINDS BEHIND THE FATAL BLAST 278 00:12:35,088 --> 00:12:37,921 ON JULY 30, 1916. 279 00:12:37,924 --> 00:12:40,624 IN THE SUMMER OF 1916, 280 00:12:40,627 --> 00:12:43,393 DURING WORLD WAR I, THE GERMANS WERE BROKE. 281 00:12:43,396 --> 00:12:46,263 THEY COULDN'T USE BULLETS FOR TARGET PRACTICE ANYMORE. 282 00:12:46,266 --> 00:12:48,832 AND THEY WERE ANGRY THAT THE UNITED STATES 283 00:12:48,835 --> 00:12:51,201 WAS FEEDING ALL OF THIS AMMUNITION 284 00:12:51,204 --> 00:12:53,804 TO THE BRITISH AND THE FRENCH. 285 00:12:53,807 --> 00:12:55,806 SO THEIR STRATEGY BECAME SIMPLE-- 286 00:12:55,809 --> 00:12:57,574 "WE ARE GOING TO BLOW UP 287 00:12:57,577 --> 00:12:59,343 ALL THE MUNITIONS DEPOTS THAT WE CAN." 288 00:12:59,346 --> 00:13:02,045 AND SO THE GERMAN GOVERNMENT HAD A LOT OF SPIES HERE 289 00:13:02,048 --> 00:13:04,882 TO HELP THEM PLANT BOMBS TO KEEP THOSE MUNITIONS 290 00:13:04,885 --> 00:13:06,817 FROM GOING TO THE FRONTS AND KILLING OTHER GERMANS. 291 00:13:08,954 --> 00:13:12,456 AND PERHAPS THE GERMANS' MOST IMPORTANT TARGET 292 00:13:12,459 --> 00:13:15,292 WAS THE LARGEST MUNITIONS DEPOT ON THE EASTERN SEABOARD, 293 00:13:15,295 --> 00:13:16,827 BLACK TOM ISLAND. 294 00:13:16,830 --> 00:13:19,329 IT WAS THIS ACT OF SABOTAGE 295 00:13:19,332 --> 00:13:22,332 ALONG WITH HUNDREDS OF OTHER GERMAN SUBVERSIONS 296 00:13:22,335 --> 00:13:24,501 THAT ON APRIL 6, 1917, 297 00:13:24,504 --> 00:13:26,336 FORCED THE UNITED STATES 298 00:13:26,339 --> 00:13:29,173 TO OFFICIALLY ENTER WORLD WAR I. 299 00:13:29,176 --> 00:13:31,341 BUT THE LASTING CONSEQUENCES 300 00:13:31,344 --> 00:13:33,510 OF THE EXPLOSION ON BLACK TOM ISLAND 301 00:13:33,513 --> 00:13:35,512 EXTEND EVEN FURTHER 302 00:13:35,515 --> 00:13:38,248 TO THE VERY TOP OF THE STATUE OF LIBERTY. 303 00:13:38,251 --> 00:13:40,751 THOUGH HER DAMAGED ARM WOULD BE REPAIRED 304 00:13:40,754 --> 00:13:43,120 AND BATTERED TORCH REPLACED 305 00:13:43,123 --> 00:13:45,455 DURING THE RENOVATION PROJECT IN THE 1980s, 306 00:13:45,458 --> 00:13:47,457 THE AWE-INSPIRING VIEW 307 00:13:47,460 --> 00:13:49,459 THAT ONCE EXHILARATED A GENERATION 308 00:13:49,462 --> 00:13:51,228 REMAINS OFF LIMITS. 309 00:13:51,231 --> 00:13:54,431 THE LEGACY OF THE EXPLOSION AT BLACK TOM ISLAND 310 00:13:54,434 --> 00:13:57,835 IS THAT NOBODY GETS TO WALK TO THE TOP OF THE TORCH 311 00:13:57,838 --> 00:14:01,071 AT THE STATUE OF LIBERTY ANYMORE. 312 00:14:01,074 --> 00:14:03,574 BUT DESPITE THE ENDURING SCARS, 313 00:14:03,577 --> 00:14:06,443 LADY LIBERTY CONTINUES TO HOLD HER BEACON ALOFT, 314 00:14:06,446 --> 00:14:09,780 SERVING AS A SYMBOL OF HOPE AND INSPIRATION 315 00:14:09,783 --> 00:14:12,749 TO MILLIONS WHO FLOCK TO SEE HER EACH YEAR. 316 00:14:14,820 --> 00:14:16,453 ELBERTON, GEORGIA, 317 00:14:16,456 --> 00:14:20,490 IS ONE OF THE PEACH STATE'S MANY SMALL RURAL COMMUNITIES 318 00:14:20,493 --> 00:14:22,292 CHARACTERIZED BY ROLLING HILLS 319 00:14:22,295 --> 00:14:24,661 AND VAST SWATHS OF FARMLAND. 320 00:14:24,664 --> 00:14:26,496 BUT SITUATED ON A HILLSIDE 321 00:14:26,499 --> 00:14:28,932 JUST NORTH OF THE CITY LIMITS 322 00:14:28,935 --> 00:14:31,535 IS AN ENIGMATIC ASSEMBLAGE OF SIX STONES 323 00:14:31,538 --> 00:14:34,771 THAT HAS PUT THIS SLEEPY SOUTHERN TOWN 324 00:14:34,774 --> 00:14:37,507 SQUARELY ON THE MAP. 325 00:14:37,510 --> 00:14:41,211 THE MONUMENT WEIGHS OVER 200,000 POUNDS 326 00:14:41,214 --> 00:14:44,381 AND CLOCKS IN AT ABOUT 950 CUBIC FEET 327 00:14:44,384 --> 00:14:46,750 OF PYRAMID BLUE GRANITE. 328 00:14:46,753 --> 00:14:49,253 ALSO THERE IS A SHAFT 329 00:14:49,256 --> 00:14:51,321 CUT INTO THE CENTRAL PILLAR. 330 00:14:51,324 --> 00:14:54,324 BUT IT'S THE CRYPTIC WORDS 331 00:14:54,327 --> 00:14:55,993 CARVED INTO THESE GIANT ROCKS 332 00:14:55,996 --> 00:14:59,196 THAT HAVE LONG FASCINATED AUTHOR RAYMOND WILEY. 333 00:14:59,199 --> 00:15:01,565 ETCHED INTO THEM 334 00:15:01,568 --> 00:15:04,301 ARE 4,000 CHARACTERS OF DIFFERENT ALPHABETS 335 00:15:04,304 --> 00:15:06,570 CONTAINING SOME KIND OF MESSAGE. 336 00:15:06,573 --> 00:15:10,374 SO WHAT IS THIS BIZARRE STRUCTURE, 337 00:15:10,377 --> 00:15:12,376 AND HOW DID IT BECOME 338 00:15:12,379 --> 00:15:16,079 ONE OF THE MOST CONTROVERSIAL MONUMENTS IN AMERICA? 339 00:15:16,082 --> 00:15:19,016 JUNE 1979, 340 00:15:19,019 --> 00:15:21,184 ELBERTON, GEORGIA-- 341 00:15:21,187 --> 00:15:24,087 A MAN NAMED JOE FENDLEY IS WRAPPING UP A FRIDAY AFTERNOON 342 00:15:24,090 --> 00:15:26,590 AT HIS GRANITE FINISHING COMPANY 343 00:15:26,593 --> 00:15:29,259 WHEN A WELL-DRESSED STRANGER ENTERS THE OFFICE 344 00:15:29,262 --> 00:15:32,829 AND INTRODUCES HIMSELF AS MR. R.C. CHRISTIAN. 345 00:15:32,832 --> 00:15:35,599 THIS MAN PRESENTED A PLAN 346 00:15:35,602 --> 00:15:38,068 TO BUILD A MASSIVE GRANITE MONUMENT. 347 00:15:38,071 --> 00:15:40,070 WHAT HE PROPOSES 348 00:15:40,073 --> 00:15:42,539 IS UNLIKE ANYTHING FENDLEY HAS EVER HEARD, 349 00:15:42,542 --> 00:15:44,641 TO CREATE A STRUCTURE 350 00:15:44,644 --> 00:15:48,045 COMPRISED OF SEVERAL ENORMOUS PIECES OF GRANITE 351 00:15:48,048 --> 00:15:51,214 ARRANGED IN A MATHEMATICALLY PRECISE MANNER. 352 00:15:51,217 --> 00:15:52,849 THIS MONUMENT WOULD COST 353 00:15:52,852 --> 00:15:54,851 MANY HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO CONSTRUCT, 354 00:15:54,854 --> 00:15:57,254 AND MR. FENDLEY HAD A HARD TIME BELIEVING 355 00:15:57,257 --> 00:15:59,856 THAT ANYONE WOULD WANT TO SPEND SO MUCH MONEY 356 00:15:59,859 --> 00:16:01,892 ON SUCH A STRANGE THING. 357 00:16:01,895 --> 00:16:04,328 SO HE BASICALLY DISMISSED THE MAN 358 00:16:04,331 --> 00:16:07,664 AND TOLD HIM THAT WHEN HE HAD ALL OF THE FUNDING SQUARED AWAY, 359 00:16:07,667 --> 00:16:11,368 THAT HE'D MAYBE CONSIDER BUILDING HIS MONUMENT. 360 00:16:11,371 --> 00:16:13,203 BUT JUST A WEEK LATER, 361 00:16:13,206 --> 00:16:16,873 THE MYSTERIOUS MAN RETURNS TO FENDLEY'S SHOP. 362 00:16:16,876 --> 00:16:20,210 R.C. CHRISTIAN IN FACT DID GET A LARGE BANK LOAN 363 00:16:20,213 --> 00:16:22,646 TO UNDERWRITE A MONUMENT OF THIS SIZE. 364 00:16:22,649 --> 00:16:25,148 AND AFTER PROVIDING THE CONTRACTOR 365 00:16:25,151 --> 00:16:26,917 WITH DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS 366 00:16:26,920 --> 00:16:29,419 FOR THE DESIGN AND LOCATION OF HIS ENIGMATIC STRUCTURE, 367 00:16:29,422 --> 00:16:31,154 R.C. CHRISTIAN LEAVES THE OFFICE 368 00:16:31,157 --> 00:16:33,357 AND IS NEVER SEEN AGAIN. 369 00:16:33,360 --> 00:16:36,360 LEFT WITH A 10-PAGE MANUAL 370 00:16:36,363 --> 00:16:38,328 OF ELABORATE DIRECTIONS, 371 00:16:38,331 --> 00:16:41,865 JOE FENDLEY TAKES THE LEAD ON THE STRANGE PROJECT 372 00:16:41,868 --> 00:16:43,867 AND ASSEMBLES A TEAM OF EXPERTS TO SET TO WORK 373 00:16:43,870 --> 00:16:46,970 INTERPRETING THE FIRST ELEMENT OF R.C. CHRISTIAN'S VISION, 374 00:16:46,973 --> 00:16:48,972 A LIST OF MESSAGES 375 00:16:48,975 --> 00:16:51,475 ETCHED INTO HUGE PIECES OF GRANITE 376 00:16:51,478 --> 00:16:53,643 IN 12 DIFFERENT LANGUAGES. 377 00:16:53,646 --> 00:16:56,079 MR. FENDLEY HAD TO TURN TO TRANSLATORS 378 00:16:56,082 --> 00:16:57,948 FROM THE UNITED NATIONS 379 00:16:57,951 --> 00:17:00,517 TO TRANSLATE SOME OF THESE LANGUAGES. 380 00:17:00,520 --> 00:17:03,553 MONTHS LATER, THE MONUMENT'S SIX STONES 381 00:17:03,556 --> 00:17:06,857 ARE TRANSPORTED TO A GRASSY PLATEAU ON A FARM 382 00:17:06,860 --> 00:17:08,859 7 MILES NORTH OF ELBERTON, 383 00:17:08,862 --> 00:17:11,395 WHERE ANOTHER GROUP OF SPECIALISTS ARE CALLED IN 384 00:17:11,398 --> 00:17:14,364 TO IMPLEMENT CHRISTIAN'S COMPLEX DESIGN. 385 00:17:14,367 --> 00:17:18,101 ASTRONOMERS AND OTHER ENGINEERS WERE HIRED 386 00:17:18,104 --> 00:17:21,972 TO MAKE SURE THE ALIGNMENTS WERE CORRECTLY LAID. 387 00:17:21,975 --> 00:17:23,807 THE BIZARRE PROJECT 388 00:17:23,810 --> 00:17:26,410 SOON BECOMES THE TALK OF THE TOWN. 389 00:17:26,413 --> 00:17:28,945 ELBERTON RESIDENTS, HOWEVER, REMAIN BAFFLED. 390 00:17:28,948 --> 00:17:31,581 THE PEOPLE IN ELBERTON WERE KIND OF HARD PRESSED 391 00:17:31,584 --> 00:17:33,650 TO EXPLAIN THIS MONUMENT. 392 00:17:35,454 --> 00:17:38,288 FINALLY, ON MARCH 22, 1980, 393 00:17:38,291 --> 00:17:40,090 THE MYSTERIOUS STRUCTURE, 394 00:17:40,093 --> 00:17:42,325 NOW CALLED THE GEORGIA GUIDESTONES, 395 00:17:42,328 --> 00:17:45,762 IS UNVEILED BEFORE A CROWD OF POLITICIANS, 396 00:17:45,765 --> 00:17:48,732 GRANITE WORKERS, AND CURIOUS LOCALS. 397 00:17:48,735 --> 00:17:51,234 AND THE MILLION-DOLLAR QUESTION BECOMES, 398 00:17:51,237 --> 00:17:53,236 WHAT IS IT FOR? 399 00:17:53,239 --> 00:18:00,243 ♪ 400 00:18:00,246 --> 00:18:02,112 IT'S MARCH 22, 1980. 401 00:18:02,115 --> 00:18:04,848 ON A HILL OUTSIDE OF ELBERTON, GEORGIA, 402 00:18:04,851 --> 00:18:08,785 AN ESOTERIC NEW MONUMENT HAS JUST BEEN UNVEILED. 403 00:18:08,788 --> 00:18:12,189 THIS COLLECTION OF STRATEGICALLY ARRANGED STONES 404 00:18:12,192 --> 00:18:13,657 BEARS CRYPTIC MESSAGES 405 00:18:13,660 --> 00:18:16,293 ENGRAVED IN A DOZEN LANGUAGES. 406 00:18:16,296 --> 00:18:18,061 SO WHAT DOES IT SAY? 407 00:18:20,165 --> 00:18:23,200 CARVED INTO THE MONUMENT'S FOUR LARGEST FACES 408 00:18:23,203 --> 00:18:25,035 ARE TEN PRINCIPLES 409 00:18:25,038 --> 00:18:27,938 THAT CONVEY SUCH SEEMINGLY BENEVOLENT DIRECTIVES 410 00:18:27,941 --> 00:18:31,541 AS "BALANCE PERSONAL RIGHTS WITH SOCIAL DUTIES" 411 00:18:31,544 --> 00:18:34,177 AND "LEAVE ROOM FOR NATURE." 412 00:18:34,180 --> 00:18:36,813 BUT OVER THE NEXT 30 YEARS, 413 00:18:36,816 --> 00:18:39,549 THE CONTENT OF THIS LIST OF COMMANDMENTS 414 00:18:39,552 --> 00:18:41,518 KEEPS THE GEORGIA GUIDESTONES AT THE CENTER 415 00:18:41,521 --> 00:18:43,753 OF A HEATED DEBATE. 416 00:18:43,756 --> 00:18:46,523 MANY OF THEM SEEM LIKE VERY POSITIVE SUGGESTIONS 417 00:18:46,526 --> 00:18:48,925 FOR THE FUTURE OF MANKIND, 418 00:18:48,928 --> 00:18:51,294 BUT OTHERS ARE VERY CONTROVERSIAL. 419 00:18:51,297 --> 00:18:53,296 LOCAL RELIGIOUS GROUPS FOCUS 420 00:18:53,299 --> 00:18:55,265 ON THE MONUMENT'S THIRD PRECEPT, 421 00:18:55,268 --> 00:18:57,267 WHICH CALLS FOR A UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE, 422 00:18:57,270 --> 00:18:59,503 AS AN INDICATION OF EVIL. 423 00:18:59,506 --> 00:19:01,505 MANY PEOPLE BELIEVE THAT R.C. CHRISTIAN 424 00:19:01,508 --> 00:19:04,341 REPRESENTED SOME KIND OF SATANIC SECRET SOCIETY. 425 00:19:07,246 --> 00:19:09,246 TO SUPPORT THEIR SUSPICIONS, 426 00:19:09,249 --> 00:19:11,815 THEY CITE THE BOOK OF REVELATION 427 00:19:11,818 --> 00:19:13,817 WHICH WARNS OF A COMMON TONGUE 428 00:19:13,820 --> 00:19:15,785 AS THE WORK OF THE ANTICHRIST. 429 00:19:15,788 --> 00:19:19,122 OTHERS MAINTAIN THAT R.C. CHRISTIAN'S DIRECTIVES 430 00:19:19,125 --> 00:19:21,291 TO ESTABLISH A WORLD COURT 431 00:19:21,294 --> 00:19:25,028 AND REDUCE THE POPULATION TO LESS THAN 500 MILLION 432 00:19:25,031 --> 00:19:27,030 ARE IDEAS THAT ARE MORE IN KEEPING 433 00:19:27,033 --> 00:19:28,865 WITH THE TOTALITARIAN IDEALS 434 00:19:28,868 --> 00:19:31,501 OF THE WORST DICTATORIAL REGIMES. 435 00:19:31,504 --> 00:19:34,004 MANY CONSPIRACY RESEARCHERS 436 00:19:34,007 --> 00:19:36,840 THINK THAT THE GEORGIA GUIDESTONES 437 00:19:36,843 --> 00:19:39,276 ARE A BLUEPRINT FOR GLOBAL ENSLAVEMENT. 438 00:19:41,480 --> 00:19:43,146 BUT FOR SOME, 439 00:19:43,149 --> 00:19:45,649 R.C. CHRISTIAN'S ARCANE ASSEMBLAGE OF STONES 440 00:19:45,652 --> 00:19:48,285 REPRESENTS NOT SERVITUDE BUT SALVATION, 441 00:19:48,288 --> 00:19:51,188 A THEORY SUPPORTED BY AN EXAMINATION 442 00:19:51,191 --> 00:19:53,723 OF THE MONUMENT'S CENTERPIECE. 443 00:19:53,726 --> 00:19:56,726 HERE WE HAVE A SHAFT CUT THROUGH THE CENTRAL PILLAR 444 00:19:56,729 --> 00:19:59,229 THROUGH WHICH YOU CAN SIGHT THE NORTH STAR 445 00:19:59,232 --> 00:20:00,830 ANY NIGHT OF THE YEAR. 446 00:20:00,833 --> 00:20:02,666 ANOTHER OPENING ALLOWS 447 00:20:02,669 --> 00:20:05,402 FOR AN EVEN BRIGHTER STAR TO BE TRACKED. 448 00:20:05,405 --> 00:20:07,070 IF YOU PEER THROUGH THE SLOT 449 00:20:07,073 --> 00:20:09,606 ON THE MORNING OF THE SUMMER OR WINTER SOLSTICE, 450 00:20:09,609 --> 00:20:11,608 YOU CAN SIGHT THE RISING OF THE SUN 451 00:20:11,611 --> 00:20:14,844 AT A VERY PRECISE ANGLE. 452 00:20:14,847 --> 00:20:16,513 SURROUNDING THIS PILLAR 453 00:20:16,516 --> 00:20:19,616 ARE THE MONUMENT'S FOUR LARGEST FACES, 454 00:20:19,619 --> 00:20:23,253 WHICH ARE ALIGNED NORTH, SOUTH, EAST, AND WEST. 455 00:20:23,256 --> 00:20:26,089 IT SEEMS THE GEORGIA GUIDESTONES 456 00:20:26,092 --> 00:20:29,092 ARE AN ENORMOUS ASTRONOMICAL INSTRUMENT. 457 00:20:31,263 --> 00:20:33,263 R.C. CHRISTIAN MEANT FOR THIS MONUMENT 458 00:20:33,266 --> 00:20:35,599 TO SERVE AS A KIND OF A COMPASS 459 00:20:35,602 --> 00:20:37,334 AND AS KIND OF A CALENDAR. 460 00:20:37,337 --> 00:20:39,336 BUT WHAT WOULD HAVE PROMPTED HIM 461 00:20:39,339 --> 00:20:43,540 TO ERECT SUCH A MASSIVE AND ANTIQUATED TIMEPIECE? 462 00:20:43,543 --> 00:20:46,710 SOME BELIEVE THAT IT'S R.C. CHRISTIAN'S 463 00:20:46,713 --> 00:20:48,912 SUPPOSED AFFILIATION WITH A SECRET 464 00:20:48,915 --> 00:20:52,349 17th-CENTURY SOCIETY CALLED THE ROSICRUCIANS. 465 00:20:52,352 --> 00:20:55,285 IT'S THEORIZED 466 00:20:55,288 --> 00:20:57,954 THAT THIS FRATERNAL ORDER HAS FOR CENTURIES 467 00:20:57,957 --> 00:20:59,956 PASSED DOWN ESOTERIC KNOWLEDGE 468 00:20:59,959 --> 00:21:01,992 OF A NATURAL CATASTROPHE 469 00:21:01,995 --> 00:21:05,428 THAT WILL WREAK UTTER HAVOC ON EARTH. 470 00:21:05,431 --> 00:21:07,931 AND I THINK THAT HE WAS REALLY AFRAID 471 00:21:07,934 --> 00:21:10,767 THAT THERE WAS GOING TO BE SOME SORT OF APOCALYPSE, 472 00:21:10,770 --> 00:21:12,936 AND THAT HE WAS BUILDING THE GUIDESTONES 473 00:21:12,939 --> 00:21:14,938 FOR THE PEOPLE THAT WOULD SURVIVE 474 00:21:14,941 --> 00:21:16,773 AND TO HAVE A WAY TO TRACK THE SEASONS 475 00:21:16,776 --> 00:21:19,909 SO YOU'D KNOW WHEN TO PLANT CROPS. 476 00:21:19,912 --> 00:21:22,912 SO IS R.C. CHRISTIAN'S MONUMENT 477 00:21:22,915 --> 00:21:26,516 SIMPLY A SURVIVAL GUIDE FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS 478 00:21:26,519 --> 00:21:28,918 OR A MANIFESTO OF EVIL? 479 00:21:28,921 --> 00:21:32,922 IT'S HARD TO KNOW IF THE MYSTERY OF THE GEORGIA GUIDESTONES 480 00:21:32,925 --> 00:21:34,924 WILL EVER BE FULLY UNCOVERED. 481 00:21:34,927 --> 00:21:36,993 THE SECRET IS KNOWN TO ONE MAN-- 482 00:21:36,996 --> 00:21:39,629 R.C. CHRISTIAN. 483 00:21:39,632 --> 00:21:41,631 AND UNTIL HE STEPS FORWARD 484 00:21:41,634 --> 00:21:43,633 TO ENLIGHTEN THE CURIOUS MASSES, 485 00:21:43,636 --> 00:21:45,468 THIS DEFTLY CONSTRUCTED 486 00:21:45,471 --> 00:21:48,305 240,000-POUND MONUMENT 487 00:21:48,308 --> 00:21:51,141 REMAINS ROOTED ON A REMOTE HILLSIDE 488 00:21:51,144 --> 00:21:53,977 WHERE IT CONTINUES TO MYSTIFY AND INTRIGUE 489 00:21:53,980 --> 00:21:56,012 IN EQUAL MEASURE. 490 00:21:56,015 --> 00:21:59,382 WASHINGTON, D.C.-- 491 00:21:59,385 --> 00:22:02,852 DOMINATING THE LANDSCAPE OF AMERICA'S CAPITAL CITY 492 00:22:02,855 --> 00:22:06,823 ARE SOME OF THE COUNTRY'S MOST RECOGNIZABLE MEMORIALS, 493 00:22:06,826 --> 00:22:09,592 INCLUDING A TRIBUTE TO PRESIDENT ABRAHAM LINCOLN 494 00:22:09,595 --> 00:22:12,262 AND A COMMEMORATION OF KOREAN WAR VETERANS. 495 00:22:12,265 --> 00:22:15,432 BUT JUST BLOCKS AWAY FROM THESE REVERED FIGURES, 496 00:22:15,435 --> 00:22:17,434 TUCKED AWAY IN A QUIET CORNER 497 00:22:17,437 --> 00:22:19,936 OF A DOWNTOWN COURTYARD 498 00:22:19,939 --> 00:22:23,239 IS AN EERIE STATUE THAT IS ANYTHING BUT VENERATED. 499 00:22:23,242 --> 00:22:25,241 (man) THE OBJECT IS 5 1/2 FEET TALL 500 00:22:25,244 --> 00:22:26,743 AND MADE OF BRONZE. 501 00:22:26,746 --> 00:22:30,246 IT IS A SEATED FIGURE THAT APPEARS TO BE DRAPED 502 00:22:30,249 --> 00:22:32,315 IN A VERY LARGE CLOAK 503 00:22:32,318 --> 00:22:36,052 WITH A COWL THAT COVERS THE FACE. 504 00:22:36,055 --> 00:22:39,422 AND AS TOUR GUIDE MICHAEL LOOMIS CAN ATTEST, 505 00:22:39,425 --> 00:22:41,524 THIS STATUE'S TRANQUIL AUSTERITY 506 00:22:41,527 --> 00:22:44,194 BELIES ITS DARK HISTORY. 507 00:22:44,197 --> 00:22:46,196 WHEN SEEN IN THE DAYTIME, 508 00:22:46,199 --> 00:22:47,964 THE FIGURE IS MORE CONTEMPLATIVE. 509 00:22:47,967 --> 00:22:50,700 BUT AT NIGHT THIS RATHER PEACEFUL STATUE 510 00:22:50,703 --> 00:22:54,671 TRANSFORMS INTO AN ANGEL OF DEATH. 511 00:22:54,674 --> 00:22:58,942 WHAT IS THE STORY BEHIND THIS MACABRE MEMORIAL 512 00:22:58,945 --> 00:23:00,944 KNOWN AS BLACK AGGIE, 513 00:23:00,947 --> 00:23:03,947 AND HOW DID IT COME TO INSPIRE FRIGHTENING TALES 514 00:23:03,950 --> 00:23:07,050 OF CURSES, SPELLS, AND EVIL? 515 00:23:09,454 --> 00:23:12,756 1907, BALTIMORE, MARYLAND-- 516 00:23:12,759 --> 00:23:15,859 CIVIL WAR HERO GENERAL FELIX AGNUS 517 00:23:15,862 --> 00:23:17,694 HAS A BRONZE SCULPTURE INSTALLED 518 00:23:17,697 --> 00:23:19,929 ON HIS FAMILY'S BURIAL PLOT 519 00:23:19,932 --> 00:23:22,132 IN A LOCAL GRAVEYARD 520 00:23:22,135 --> 00:23:24,401 CALLED DRUID RIDGE CEMETERY. 521 00:23:24,404 --> 00:23:28,071 THE FIGURE, A VEILED, MOURNFUL WOMAN, 522 00:23:28,074 --> 00:23:31,241 DRAWS PRAISE FOR ITS ELEGANCE AND GRACE 523 00:23:31,244 --> 00:23:34,711 AND SOON AN ENDEARING NICKNAME--BLACK AGGIE-- 524 00:23:34,714 --> 00:23:38,548 DUE TO ITS DARK COLOR AND THE AGNUS FAMILY NAME 525 00:23:38,551 --> 00:23:40,483 INSCRIBED ON THE STONE BENEATH IT. 526 00:23:40,486 --> 00:23:44,320 BUT AS THE YEARS GO BY, THE STATUE STARTS TO ATTRACT 527 00:23:44,323 --> 00:23:46,356 A VERY DIFFERENT KIND OF ATTENTION. 528 00:23:46,359 --> 00:23:48,892 LEGENDS STARTED TO CIRCULATE 529 00:23:48,895 --> 00:23:51,795 THAT PREGNANT WOMEN WALKING THROUGH ITS SHADOW 530 00:23:51,798 --> 00:23:53,797 WOULD ACTUALLY MISCARRY 531 00:23:53,800 --> 00:23:56,065 OR HAVE SOMETHING HORRIBLE HAPPEN TO THEIR BABIES. 532 00:23:56,068 --> 00:23:59,235 SOME PEOPLE CALLED IT THE SHADOW OF DEATH. 533 00:23:59,238 --> 00:24:03,339 AND THE TERRIFYING TALES DON'T STOP THERE. 534 00:24:03,342 --> 00:24:06,276 IT'S RUMORED THAT WHEN THE CLOCK STRIKES MIDNIGHT 535 00:24:06,279 --> 00:24:08,578 THE MYSTERIOUS BRONZE FIGURE 536 00:24:08,581 --> 00:24:10,613 ACTUALLY COMES TO LIFE. 537 00:24:10,616 --> 00:24:12,816 ACCORDING TO SOME WITNESSES, 538 00:24:12,819 --> 00:24:15,285 HER EYES SNAP OPEN. 539 00:24:15,288 --> 00:24:18,721 YOU'D SEE TWO RED EYES, 540 00:24:18,724 --> 00:24:20,690 EYES THAT WOULD DANCE WITH FLAMES. 541 00:24:20,693 --> 00:24:23,126 AND THEN RISING SLOWLY, 542 00:24:23,129 --> 00:24:26,629 HER ARMS FALL FROM HER FACE IN HER LAP. 543 00:24:26,632 --> 00:24:29,365 IMAGINE THE SOUND OF TWISTING METAL, 544 00:24:29,368 --> 00:24:31,801 THE GRINDING OF THAT BRONZE FIGURE 545 00:24:31,804 --> 00:24:33,403 AS SHE STANDS. 546 00:24:33,406 --> 00:24:37,140 AS THE YEARS GO BY, HUNDREDS OF THRILL SEEKERS 547 00:24:37,143 --> 00:24:39,142 FLOOD DRUID RIDGE CEMETERY, 548 00:24:39,145 --> 00:24:40,810 HOPING TO FIND OUT 549 00:24:40,813 --> 00:24:43,513 IF THE FRIGHTENING ACCOUNTS ARE TRUE. 550 00:24:43,516 --> 00:24:46,416 COLLEGE FRATERNITIES EVEN BEGIN USING THE FIGURE 551 00:24:46,419 --> 00:24:47,917 FOR HAZING RITUALS, 552 00:24:47,920 --> 00:24:49,752 ORDERING PROSPECTIVE INDUCTEES 553 00:24:49,755 --> 00:24:51,588 TO SIT ON HER LAP AT MIDNIGHT 554 00:24:51,591 --> 00:24:54,591 AND STARE INTO HER WICKED EYES. 555 00:24:54,594 --> 00:24:58,728 IT'S ONE OF THESE DARES IN THE LATE 1950s 556 00:24:58,731 --> 00:25:01,397 THAT THE MOST GRUESOME CHAPTER IN THE TALE OF BLACK AGGIE 557 00:25:01,400 --> 00:25:03,900 IS WRITTEN. 558 00:25:03,903 --> 00:25:06,769 THERE IS A VERY FAMOUS STORY ABOUT A PARTICULAR PLEDGE 559 00:25:06,772 --> 00:25:08,838 WHO WAS SPENDING THE NIGHT THERE. 560 00:25:08,841 --> 00:25:11,407 AND ONE OF THE CEMETERY CARETAKERS 561 00:25:11,410 --> 00:25:13,376 HEARD A LOUD SCREAM 562 00:25:13,379 --> 00:25:15,879 COMING FROM THE DIRECTION OF THE STATUE. 563 00:25:15,882 --> 00:25:17,547 AND HE WENT RUNNING OVER THERE, 564 00:25:17,550 --> 00:25:20,517 AND HE FOUND THE BROKEN BODY 565 00:25:20,520 --> 00:25:22,752 OF THE YOUNG BOY. 566 00:25:24,689 --> 00:25:26,856 SO COULD THIS BRONZE STATUE 567 00:25:26,859 --> 00:25:29,926 ACTUALLY BE INHABITED BY A VENGEFUL SPIRIT? 568 00:25:29,929 --> 00:25:31,928 AND HOW DID IT END UP MOVING 569 00:25:31,931 --> 00:25:33,596 FROM A MARYLAND CEMETERY 570 00:25:33,599 --> 00:25:39,869 TO A WASHINGTON, D.C., COURTYARD? 571 00:25:39,872 --> 00:25:43,339 IN 1907, A BRONZE SCULPTURE IS PLACED 572 00:25:43,342 --> 00:25:46,009 OVER A BURIAL PLOT IN A BALTIMORE CEMETERY. 573 00:25:46,012 --> 00:25:49,012 SOME BELIEVE THIS EERIE SCULPTURE 574 00:25:49,015 --> 00:25:50,613 OF A FORLORN, SHROUDED FIGURE 575 00:25:50,616 --> 00:25:52,815 CAN CAUSE PREGNANT WOMEN TO MISCARRY. 576 00:25:52,818 --> 00:25:55,118 OTHERS CLAIM IT ONCE CAME TO LIFE 577 00:25:55,121 --> 00:25:57,086 AND CRUSHED A COLLEGE STUDENT TO DEATH. 578 00:25:57,089 --> 00:26:00,423 SO COULD THE SCULPTURE BE POSSESSED 579 00:26:00,426 --> 00:26:01,858 BY AN EVIL SPIRIT? 580 00:26:01,861 --> 00:26:05,528 SOME PEOPLE CLAIM THE ANSWER LIES 581 00:26:05,531 --> 00:26:08,064 IN THE STATUE'S VERY INCEPTION. 582 00:26:10,468 --> 00:26:14,003 1908, BALTIMORE, MARYLAND-- 583 00:26:14,006 --> 00:26:17,340 JUST A YEAR AFTER GENERAL FELIX AGNUS 584 00:26:17,343 --> 00:26:19,175 HAS HIS PRIZED STATUE ERECTED 585 00:26:19,178 --> 00:26:22,178 OVER THE BURIAL PLOT OF HIS FAMILY, 586 00:26:22,181 --> 00:26:24,013 HE IS CONTACTED BY AN ASSOCIATE 587 00:26:24,016 --> 00:26:27,016 OF FAMED JOURNALIST HENRY ADAMS. 588 00:26:27,019 --> 00:26:29,252 GENERAL AGNUS FOUND 589 00:26:29,255 --> 00:26:32,555 THAT THE STATUE THAT HE HAD GOTTEN FOR HIS GRAVE SITE 590 00:26:32,558 --> 00:26:35,291 WAS NO MORE THAN AN ILLEGAL COPY 591 00:26:35,294 --> 00:26:38,294 OF A STATUE THAT HENRY HAD COMMISSIONED 592 00:26:38,297 --> 00:26:41,764 FOR THE GRAVE OF HIS DEAD WIFE, A WOMAN NAMED MARIAN. 593 00:26:41,767 --> 00:26:43,600 NOT ONLY THAT, 594 00:26:43,603 --> 00:26:45,768 BUT MARIAN ADAMS' LEGACY 595 00:26:45,771 --> 00:26:49,138 IS ONE OF A TORTUROUS AND TRAUMATIC DEMISE. 596 00:26:49,141 --> 00:26:51,541 MARIAN ADAMS DID COMMIT SUICIDE. 597 00:26:53,111 --> 00:26:55,979 HENRY HAD COMMISSIONED A STATUE TO HONOR HER 598 00:26:55,982 --> 00:26:58,114 AND WAS HORRIFIED TO FIND THAT THE STATUE 599 00:26:58,117 --> 00:27:01,184 HAD BEEN COPIED ILLEGALLY. 600 00:27:01,187 --> 00:27:05,521 COULD IT BE THAT IT'S THE TORTURED SPIRIT 601 00:27:05,524 --> 00:27:09,092 OF MARIAN ADAMS THAT POSSESSES THE BLACK AGGIE STATUE? 602 00:27:09,095 --> 00:27:11,094 OTHER UNCANNY EVIDENCE 603 00:27:11,097 --> 00:27:14,097 GIVES CREDENCE TO THIS STRANGE THEORY-- 604 00:27:14,100 --> 00:27:17,967 MARIAN ADAMS' INABILITY TO CONCEIVE A CHILD. 605 00:27:17,970 --> 00:27:20,970 ONE OF THE STORIES INVOLVED WITH THE BLACK AGGIE 606 00:27:20,973 --> 00:27:22,905 INVOLVED PREGNANT WOMEN 607 00:27:22,908 --> 00:27:25,908 THAT WOULD GIVE BIRTH TO STILLBORN CHILDREN 608 00:27:25,911 --> 00:27:28,011 OR HAVE MISCARRIAGES. 609 00:27:28,014 --> 00:27:31,347 THE BLACK AGGIE ALMOST SEEMS TO BE SEEKING VENGEANCE 610 00:27:31,350 --> 00:27:35,351 AGAINST WOMEN WHO ARE PRODUCING CHILDREN. 611 00:27:35,354 --> 00:27:37,387 BUT WITH HER CLOSED EYES 612 00:27:37,390 --> 00:27:39,722 AND GRIEVOUS EXPRESSION BARELY VISIBLE 613 00:27:39,725 --> 00:27:41,557 UNDERNEATH A LONG, DARK CLOAK, 614 00:27:41,560 --> 00:27:44,060 THERE COULD BE ANOTHER SIMPLER REASON 615 00:27:44,063 --> 00:27:47,497 THAT BLACK AGGIE HAS SPAWNED SUCH TERRIFYING TALES-- 616 00:27:47,500 --> 00:27:50,967 HER DOWNRIGHT CHILLING APPEARANCE. 617 00:27:50,970 --> 00:27:53,136 THE STORIES THAT I'VE HEARD 618 00:27:53,139 --> 00:27:55,138 HAVE MADE ME A LITTLE UNEASY 619 00:27:55,141 --> 00:27:58,307 ABOUT ACTUALLY STARING AT HER FOR TOO LONG. 620 00:27:58,310 --> 00:28:02,211 PERHAPS THERE IS SOMETHING TO THIS LEGEND. 621 00:28:02,214 --> 00:28:06,282 BUT ONE FINAL QUESTION IN THE STORY OF BLACK AGGIE 622 00:28:06,285 --> 00:28:08,785 REMAINS UNANSWERED. 623 00:28:08,788 --> 00:28:10,453 HOW DID THIS MUCH-MALIGNED STATUE, 624 00:28:10,456 --> 00:28:13,289 ONCE SITUATED IN A MARYLAND CEMETERY, 625 00:28:13,292 --> 00:28:16,526 END UP IN A WASHINGTON, D.C., COURTYARD? 626 00:28:16,529 --> 00:28:18,528 THE CEMETERY MANAGEMENT 627 00:28:18,531 --> 00:28:20,196 BASICALLY HAD HAD ENOUGH 628 00:28:20,199 --> 00:28:21,864 OF THE LEGEND OF THE BLACK AGGIE, 629 00:28:21,867 --> 00:28:25,702 AND THEY DONATED IT IN 1967 630 00:28:25,705 --> 00:28:27,704 TO THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. 631 00:28:27,707 --> 00:28:30,540 THEN IN THE 1980s, 632 00:28:30,543 --> 00:28:33,009 THE GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION 633 00:28:33,012 --> 00:28:35,545 ASKED THE SMITHSONIAN IF THEY COULD HAVE IT. 634 00:28:35,548 --> 00:28:39,348 THEY DECIDED TO PUT IT RIGHT ACROSS LAFAYETTE SQUARE. 635 00:28:39,351 --> 00:28:41,350 AND IT'S HERE, 636 00:28:41,353 --> 00:28:44,420 JUST A STONE'S THROW FROM THE WHITE HOUSE, 637 00:28:44,423 --> 00:28:47,090 HIDING IN THE SHADOWS OF THIS DOWNTOWN COURTYARD, 638 00:28:47,093 --> 00:28:49,459 THAT BLACK AGGIE SITS, 639 00:28:49,462 --> 00:28:51,627 A SHUNNED RELIC WHOSE LEGACY OF EVIL 640 00:28:51,630 --> 00:28:55,431 REMAINS LARGELY UNKNOWN IN ITS ADOPTED CITY. 641 00:28:58,470 --> 00:29:00,470 JUST A FEW SHORT BLOCKS AWAY 642 00:29:00,473 --> 00:29:03,372 ON WASHINGTON, D.C.'s, NATIONAL MALL 643 00:29:03,375 --> 00:29:06,242 STANDS A SOARING TRIBUTE TO THE COUNTRY'S FIRST PRESIDENT, 644 00:29:06,245 --> 00:29:10,146 GEORGE WASHINGTON. (man) IT'S FACED IN WHITE MARBLE 645 00:29:10,149 --> 00:29:13,382 AND IS ENCIRCLED BY 50 FLAGS. 646 00:29:14,986 --> 00:29:18,488 TODAY IT REMAINS THE TALLEST STONE STRUCTURE IN THE WORLD 647 00:29:18,491 --> 00:29:20,757 AT JUST OVER 555 FEET. 648 00:29:22,560 --> 00:29:24,727 THIS IS THE WASHINGTON MONUMENT, 649 00:29:24,730 --> 00:29:27,263 A STRIKING SYMBOL OF DEMOCRACY 650 00:29:27,266 --> 00:29:29,632 THAT HAS REIGNED SUPREME 651 00:29:29,635 --> 00:29:31,768 OVER THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA FOR MORE THAN A CENTURY. 652 00:29:31,771 --> 00:29:34,971 BUT AS AMERICAN UNIVERSITY ASSISTANT PROFESSOR 653 00:29:34,974 --> 00:29:36,572 DAVID JOHNSON KNOWS, 654 00:29:36,575 --> 00:29:38,941 THERE ARE SOME WHO VIEW THIS MAJESTIC LANDMARK 655 00:29:38,944 --> 00:29:42,545 AS AN EMBLEM OF EVIL. 656 00:29:42,548 --> 00:29:45,581 THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE WHO THINK THAT THE WASHINGTON MONUMENT 657 00:29:45,584 --> 00:29:49,085 IS PART OF SOME VAST, SHADOWY CONSPIRACY 658 00:29:49,088 --> 00:29:51,254 THAT SPREADS INTO THE REST OF THE WORLD. 659 00:29:51,257 --> 00:29:54,757 SO IS THIS BREATHTAKING MEMORIAL 660 00:29:54,760 --> 00:29:58,261 SIMPLY A COMMEMORATION OF A LEGENDARY FOUNDING FATHER 661 00:29:58,264 --> 00:30:01,464 OR SOMETHING ALTOGETHER MORE SINISTER? 662 00:30:04,869 --> 00:30:08,004 IT'S JULY 4, 1848. 663 00:30:08,007 --> 00:30:10,940 IN WASHINGTON, D.C., THRONGS OF PEOPLE HAVE GATHERED 664 00:30:10,943 --> 00:30:13,676 ON THE NATIONAL MALL TO OBSERVE THE LAYING 665 00:30:13,679 --> 00:30:16,245 OF THE CORNERSTONE OF A NEW MONUMENT 666 00:30:16,248 --> 00:30:18,614 HONORING ONE OF THE NATION'S MOST ADMIRED LEADERS, 667 00:30:18,617 --> 00:30:20,449 GEORGE WASHINGTON. 668 00:30:20,452 --> 00:30:23,085 THE IDEA IS THAT THE WASHINGTON MONUMENT 669 00:30:23,088 --> 00:30:25,588 WILL BE THE LARGEST STRUCTURE ON THE PLANET. 670 00:30:25,591 --> 00:30:27,757 AND SO THAT FITS VERY MUCH IN WITH THE SENSE 671 00:30:27,760 --> 00:30:29,425 OF AMERICAN GRANDEUR. 672 00:30:29,428 --> 00:30:31,494 BUT AS THE MASSIVE WHITE COLUMN STARTS TO RISE, 673 00:30:31,497 --> 00:30:33,429 SO DO THE QUESTIONS. 674 00:30:36,167 --> 00:30:40,303 THE MONUMENT ITSELF DOESN'T DEPICT WASHINGTON VISUALLY. 675 00:30:40,306 --> 00:30:42,805 IN THIS ONE VERY SPECIAL LANDSCAPE 676 00:30:42,808 --> 00:30:46,142 HE'S REPRESENTED JUST THROUGH THIS ABSTRACTION, 677 00:30:46,145 --> 00:30:48,978 WHICH IS A LARGE OBELISK. 678 00:30:48,981 --> 00:30:52,048 AN OBELISK IS AN ANCIENT EGYPTIAN STRUCTURE 679 00:30:52,051 --> 00:30:54,050 TRADITIONALLY PLACED AT THE ENTRANCES 680 00:30:54,053 --> 00:30:56,719 OF TEMPLES AND TOMBS. 681 00:30:56,722 --> 00:30:58,988 BUT ITS TIES TO AN OBSCURE DEITY 682 00:30:58,991 --> 00:31:02,358 CAUSE MANY TO QUESTION THE CHOICE OF THE DESIGN. 683 00:31:02,361 --> 00:31:05,795 THE OBELISK ITSELF IS A SYMBOL OF LIGHT. 684 00:31:05,798 --> 00:31:08,764 IT'S LINKED WITH THE GOD OF THE SUN, RA. 685 00:31:08,767 --> 00:31:12,368 SOME THINK THIS REVERENCE 686 00:31:12,371 --> 00:31:15,738 OF THE GALAXY'S BRIGHTEST STAR IS PROFOUNDLY TROUBLING, 687 00:31:15,741 --> 00:31:18,574 SINCE ACCORDING TO CERTAIN BIBLICAL TEACHINGS, 688 00:31:18,577 --> 00:31:21,744 WORSHIP OF THE SUN IS ANYTHING BUT HOLY. 689 00:31:21,747 --> 00:31:23,913 THERE ARE CERTAIN PEOPLE WHO TEND TO LOOK 690 00:31:23,916 --> 00:31:27,416 AT THE SYMBOLISM AS SOMETHING SATANIC. 691 00:31:27,419 --> 00:31:30,920 OVER THE COURSE OF THE NEXT FEW DECADES, 692 00:31:30,923 --> 00:31:33,623 POLITICAL TURMOIL, LACK OF FUNDING, 693 00:31:33,626 --> 00:31:35,458 AND THE OUTBREAK OF THE CIVIL WAR 694 00:31:35,461 --> 00:31:37,793 CAUSE THE MEMORIAL'S COMPLETION TO BE DELAYED, 695 00:31:37,796 --> 00:31:40,463 WHILE SPECULATION SURROUNDING ITS DESIGN 696 00:31:40,466 --> 00:31:42,365 CONTINUES TO GROW. 697 00:31:42,368 --> 00:31:46,435 FINALLY, ON DECEMBER 6, 1884, 698 00:31:46,438 --> 00:31:49,438 A NEW FIRESTORM OF CONTROVERSY IS IGNITED 699 00:31:49,441 --> 00:31:51,874 WHEN THE FINAL STONES ARE SECURED 700 00:31:51,877 --> 00:31:53,776 AT THE MONUMENT'S PEAK. 701 00:31:53,779 --> 00:31:56,178 THE WASHINGTON MONUMENT WAS TOPPED WITH A PYRAMID. 702 00:31:56,181 --> 00:32:00,182 SKEPTICS CLAIM THAT THIS SHAPE HEARKENS BACK 703 00:32:00,185 --> 00:32:03,786 TO A DESIGN THAT FIRST APPEARED IN THE LATE 18th CENTURY-- 704 00:32:03,789 --> 00:32:07,023 AN ALL-SEEING EYE WITHIN A PYRAMID. 705 00:32:07,026 --> 00:32:09,058 IT'S A SYMBOL WHICH IS RUMORED TO HAVE LINKS 706 00:32:09,061 --> 00:32:11,227 TO A NEFARIOUS SECRET GROUP 707 00:32:11,230 --> 00:32:14,997 ESPOUSING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A TOTALITARIAN REGIME 708 00:32:15,000 --> 00:32:18,000 CALLED THE NEW WORLD ORDER. 709 00:32:18,003 --> 00:32:20,670 THERE'S AN IDEA OF A NEW WORLD ORDER 710 00:32:20,673 --> 00:32:22,605 THAT A RULING SET OF ELITES 711 00:32:22,608 --> 00:32:25,174 ARE SOMEHOW CLANDESTINELY PULLING THE STRINGS, 712 00:32:25,177 --> 00:32:27,176 AND BEHIND THE SCENES 713 00:32:27,179 --> 00:32:31,213 THERE'S THIS NETWORK OF CONTROL. 714 00:32:31,216 --> 00:32:33,516 FOR THE NEXT CENTURY, 715 00:32:33,519 --> 00:32:35,651 THEORIES SURROUNDING THIS DIABOLICAL SECT ABOUND. 716 00:32:35,654 --> 00:32:38,955 THOSE WHO DO BELIEVE IN THE NEW WORLD ORDER 717 00:32:38,958 --> 00:32:40,957 POINT TO THE WASHINGTON MONUMENT 718 00:32:40,960 --> 00:32:43,826 AS TOWERING EVIDENCE OF THE GROUP'S EXISTENCE. 719 00:32:43,829 --> 00:32:47,530 OTHERS CONTEND THIS SHADOWY CABAL'S REACH 720 00:32:47,533 --> 00:32:49,365 EXTENDS EVEN FURTHER, 721 00:32:49,368 --> 00:32:52,368 INDELIBLY MARKING ONE OF THE MOST COMMON OBJECTS 722 00:32:52,371 --> 00:32:55,705 IN CIRCULATION-- THE $1 BILL. 723 00:32:55,708 --> 00:32:57,373 THE BACK OF THE DOLLAR BILL 724 00:32:57,376 --> 00:32:59,508 HAS ON THE FAR LEFT SIDE A PYRAMID 725 00:32:59,511 --> 00:33:02,445 WITH THE ALL-SEEING EYE AND THE MOTTO. 726 00:33:02,448 --> 00:33:06,248 THIS MOTTO READS "NOVUS ORDO SECLORUM." 727 00:33:06,251 --> 00:33:08,751 TRANSLATED FROM LATIN, 728 00:33:08,754 --> 00:33:12,221 IT MEANS "A NEW ORDER OF THE AGES." 729 00:33:12,224 --> 00:33:14,724 THE MYSTERY COMES FULL CIRCLE 730 00:33:14,727 --> 00:33:16,559 ON THE FRONT OF THE BILL, 731 00:33:16,562 --> 00:33:19,929 BEARING THE FACE OF GEORGE WASHINGTON. 732 00:33:19,932 --> 00:33:22,431 SO COULD THIS MAGNIFICENT MONUMENT 733 00:33:22,434 --> 00:33:24,433 REALLY BE THE MARK OF AN EVIL GROUP 734 00:33:24,436 --> 00:33:28,571 PLOTTING TO TAKE OVER THE WORLD? 735 00:33:31,576 --> 00:33:33,976 THE WASHINGTON MONUMENT IS REGARDED AS ONE 736 00:33:33,979 --> 00:33:35,811 OF THE MOST AWE-INSPIRING MEMORIALS 737 00:33:35,814 --> 00:33:37,346 IN THE NATION'S CAPITAL. 738 00:33:37,349 --> 00:33:39,815 BUT SOME SUGGEST THAT ITS UNIQUE STRUCTURE 739 00:33:39,818 --> 00:33:43,352 HAS TIES TO SATANISM AND A NEFARIOUS SECRET SOCIETY 740 00:33:43,355 --> 00:33:46,989 WITH ASPIRATIONS OF WORLD DOMINATION. 741 00:33:46,992 --> 00:33:48,991 SO COULD THIS STRIKING TRIBUTE 742 00:33:48,994 --> 00:33:50,893 TO ONE OF OUR NATION'S GREATEST LEADERS 743 00:33:50,896 --> 00:33:54,230 REALLY BE A SYMBOL OF EVIL? 744 00:33:54,233 --> 00:33:57,566 FOR THE ANSWERS, IT'S NECESSARY TO EXAMINE 745 00:33:57,569 --> 00:34:00,736 THE LIFE OF NONE OTHER THAN GEORGE WASHINGTON HIMSELF. 746 00:34:00,739 --> 00:34:03,406 WASHINGTON WAS A PROUD MEMBER 747 00:34:03,409 --> 00:34:05,975 OF AN OFTEN MISUNDERSTOOD BROTHERHOOD, 748 00:34:05,978 --> 00:34:07,977 THE FREEMASONS. 749 00:34:07,980 --> 00:34:10,980 MODERN FREEMASONRY IS A FRATERNAL SOCIETY 750 00:34:10,983 --> 00:34:13,115 FOUNDED IN THE EARLY 18th CENTURY. 751 00:34:13,118 --> 00:34:17,353 THOUGH ESOTERIC RITUALS AND OBLIGATIONS OF SECRECY 752 00:34:17,356 --> 00:34:19,188 HAVE LED TO ITS VILIFICATION, 753 00:34:19,191 --> 00:34:22,091 THE GROUP IS MORE CONCERNED WITH ISSUES OF MORALITY, 754 00:34:22,094 --> 00:34:26,195 RELIGIOUS TOLERANCE, AND ARCHITECTURE. 755 00:34:26,198 --> 00:34:28,864 ROBERT MILLS, WHO WAS RESPONSIBLE 756 00:34:28,867 --> 00:34:32,201 FOR THE DESIGN OF THE WASHINGTON MONUMENT, 757 00:34:32,204 --> 00:34:34,703 WAS A FREEMASON. 758 00:34:34,706 --> 00:34:37,740 BUT WHAT ABOUT THE SUPPOSEDLY OMINOUS SHAPE 759 00:34:37,743 --> 00:34:40,276 OF THE TOWERING STRUCTURE? 760 00:34:40,279 --> 00:34:42,812 FAR FROM BEING SINISTER, THE EXPLANATION 761 00:34:42,815 --> 00:34:45,414 FOR ROBERT MILLS' OBELISK DESIGN 762 00:34:45,417 --> 00:34:47,316 CAN BE FOUND IN THE GROUP'S HIGH REGARD 763 00:34:47,319 --> 00:34:50,152 FOR ANCIENT EGYPTIAN GEOMETRIC PRINCIPLES. 764 00:34:50,155 --> 00:34:53,823 FREEMASONRY SEEKS TO USE THAT ALLEGORY 765 00:34:53,826 --> 00:34:55,658 OF BUILDING PERFECT STRUCTURES 766 00:34:55,661 --> 00:34:58,494 AS A WAY TO SEEK BALANCE 767 00:34:58,497 --> 00:35:00,996 AND PROPORTION INSIDE THEMSELVES 768 00:35:00,999 --> 00:35:04,266 THAT CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND A CHANGE INSIDE THE WORLD. 769 00:35:04,269 --> 00:35:06,268 AS FOR THE PYRAMID 770 00:35:06,271 --> 00:35:08,270 AT THE VERY TOP OF THE OBELISK 771 00:35:08,273 --> 00:35:11,807 AND ITS CONNECTION TO THE MOTIF ON THE $1 BILL? 772 00:35:11,810 --> 00:35:13,542 TO MANY, THE ALL-SEEING EYE 773 00:35:13,545 --> 00:35:16,212 EVOKES A VERY DIFFERENT INTERPRETATION 774 00:35:16,215 --> 00:35:18,481 OF A NEW WORLD ORDER. 775 00:35:18,484 --> 00:35:21,684 THE EYE IS WATCHING OVER THE NEW REPUBLIC. 776 00:35:21,687 --> 00:35:24,386 IT'S SORT OF FREE FROM-- FROM THE INJUSTICES, 777 00:35:24,389 --> 00:35:27,323 DESPOTS, AND DICTATORS, 778 00:35:27,326 --> 00:35:29,592 AND THAT WHEN WORKING TOGETHER, WE CAN BUILD STRUCTURES 779 00:35:29,595 --> 00:35:33,562 THAT CAN TRANSCEND THAT SORT OF OPPRESSION. 780 00:35:33,565 --> 00:35:36,065 THOUGH THE ORIGINS OF THE WASHINGTON MONUMENT 781 00:35:36,068 --> 00:35:38,934 MAY FOR SOME BE STEEPED IN SUSPICION, 782 00:35:38,937 --> 00:35:41,370 THERE'S NO DENYING THE BREATHTAKING BEAUTY 783 00:35:41,373 --> 00:35:44,740 OF THE WHITE OBELISK THAT STANDS ON THE NATIONAL MALL, 784 00:35:44,743 --> 00:35:47,143 A TRIBUTE TO NOT JUST ITS NAMESAKE, 785 00:35:47,146 --> 00:35:49,278 BUT THE COUNTRY HE HELPED FOUND. 786 00:35:53,551 --> 00:35:55,985 AMONG THE MAJESTIC PEAKS 787 00:35:55,988 --> 00:35:57,987 OF SOUTH DAKOTA'S BLACK HILLS MOUNTAINS 788 00:35:57,990 --> 00:35:59,788 IS ONE THAT HAS CARVED OUT 789 00:35:59,791 --> 00:36:01,857 A UNIQUE PLACE IN AMERICAN HISTORY. 790 00:36:01,860 --> 00:36:04,293 EVERY YEAR, SOME 3 MILLION TOURISTS 791 00:36:04,296 --> 00:36:07,997 VISIT A MODERN MARVEL TO ADMIRE THE SCULPTED PORTRAITS 792 00:36:08,000 --> 00:36:10,432 OF FOUR ICONIC U.S. PRESIDENTS-- 793 00:36:10,435 --> 00:36:13,269 GEORGE WASHINGTON, THOMAS JEFFERSON, 794 00:36:13,272 --> 00:36:15,804 THEODORE ROOSEVELT, AND ABRAHAM LINCOLN. 795 00:36:15,807 --> 00:36:19,008 THESE 60-FOOT HEADS 796 00:36:19,011 --> 00:36:21,977 REALLY CREATE AN AWE-INSPIRING AREA 797 00:36:21,980 --> 00:36:24,547 AND DETAILS OF REALISTIC FACES 798 00:36:24,550 --> 00:36:29,018 IS WHAT I THINK IS AMAZING ABOUT HE MEMORIAL. 799 00:36:29,021 --> 00:36:30,853 BUT ACCORDING TO PARK RANGER 800 00:36:30,856 --> 00:36:33,022 AND HISTORIAN AMY BRACEWELL, 801 00:36:33,025 --> 00:36:35,257 IT'S THE MYSTERY OF WHAT LIES 802 00:36:35,260 --> 00:36:37,426 IN BACK OF THESE COLOSSAL FACES 803 00:36:37,429 --> 00:36:40,729 THAT CONTINUES TO INTRIGUE THE AMERICAN PUBLIC. 804 00:36:40,732 --> 00:36:43,766 THERE ARE A LOT OF RUMORS FLOATING AROUND. 805 00:36:43,769 --> 00:36:46,268 SOME PEOPLE THINK THERE COULD BE A HOUSE UP THERE 806 00:36:46,271 --> 00:36:50,105 OR A LAKE OR EVEN A CAVE OF GOLD. 807 00:36:50,108 --> 00:36:53,776 SO WHAT'S THE STORY BEHIND MOUNT RUSHMORE'S 808 00:36:53,779 --> 00:36:56,378 FAMOUS HEADS OF STATE, 809 00:36:56,381 --> 00:36:58,881 AND HOW DID THEIR CREATION GIVE RISE TO TALES 810 00:36:58,884 --> 00:37:01,550 OF SECRET VAULTS AND HIDDEN RICHES? 811 00:37:01,553 --> 00:37:05,221 1925, SOUTH DAKOTA-- 812 00:37:05,224 --> 00:37:08,557 A DISTINGUISHED ARTIST NAMED GUTZON BORGLUM 813 00:37:08,560 --> 00:37:10,226 IS DRAWING UP PLANS 814 00:37:10,229 --> 00:37:12,761 FOR A COLOSSAL SCULPTURE THAT WILL ADORN 815 00:37:12,764 --> 00:37:16,699 A 5,725-FOOT PEAK IN THE BLACK HILLS 816 00:37:16,702 --> 00:37:18,601 KNOWN AS MOUNT RUSHMORE. 817 00:37:18,604 --> 00:37:21,770 HE WANTED TO CREATE SOMETHING THAT REPRESENTED 818 00:37:21,773 --> 00:37:24,106 THE EVOLUTION THAT THIS COUNTRY WENT THROUGH 819 00:37:24,109 --> 00:37:26,108 DURING THE FIRST 150 YEARS. 820 00:37:26,111 --> 00:37:30,112 BORGLUM PROPOSES TO CARVE INTO THE GRANITE MOUNTAINSIDE 821 00:37:30,115 --> 00:37:32,114 THE PORTRAITS OF THE FOUR PRESIDENTS 822 00:37:32,117 --> 00:37:34,617 THAT EMBODY THE PRESERVATION AND EXPANSION 823 00:37:34,620 --> 00:37:36,352 OF AMERICAN DEMOCRACY-- 824 00:37:36,355 --> 00:37:39,555 GEORGE WASHINGTON, 825 00:37:39,558 --> 00:37:41,457 THOMAS JEFFERSON, 826 00:37:41,460 --> 00:37:43,359 THEODORE ROOSEVELT, 827 00:37:43,362 --> 00:37:45,461 AND ABRAHAM LINCOLN. 828 00:37:45,464 --> 00:37:47,463 BUT HIS PLANS DON'T END 829 00:37:47,466 --> 00:37:50,966 AT WHAT IS SEEN FROM MOUNT RUSHMORE'S EXTERIOR. 830 00:37:50,969 --> 00:37:54,136 THE ARTIST HATCHES AN AUDACIOUS PLAN 831 00:37:54,139 --> 00:37:56,171 TO PLACE WITHIN THE MEMORIAL 832 00:37:56,174 --> 00:37:58,641 THE CROWN JEWELS OF AMERICAN DEMOCRACY. 833 00:37:58,644 --> 00:38:01,310 BORGLUM WANTED MOUNT RUSHMORE 834 00:38:01,313 --> 00:38:04,813 TO HOUSE THE ORIGINAL DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE 835 00:38:04,816 --> 00:38:06,782 AND CONSTITUTION. 836 00:38:06,785 --> 00:38:09,952 HE THOUGHT THAT THE MOUNTAIN WOULD BE THE SAFEST PLACE 837 00:38:09,955 --> 00:38:13,188 TO PRESERVE THEM FOR ALL TIME. 838 00:38:13,191 --> 00:38:16,425 ON OCTOBER 4, 1927, 839 00:38:16,428 --> 00:38:18,761 BORGLUM AND HIS CREW BREAK GROUND 840 00:38:18,764 --> 00:38:21,363 ON THE EPIC PROJECT. 841 00:38:21,366 --> 00:38:23,966 AND OVER THE COURSE OF THE NEXT 14 YEARS, 842 00:38:23,969 --> 00:38:27,536 MORE THAN 400 MEN LABOR PERILOUSLY 843 00:38:27,539 --> 00:38:31,040 THE BRING THE GRAND VISION OF MOUNT RUSHMORE TO COMPLETION. 844 00:38:31,043 --> 00:38:34,043 THE WORK ON MOUNT RUSHMORE WAS HIGHLY DANGEROUS. 845 00:38:34,046 --> 00:38:38,047 MEN WOULD HANG OFF THE TOP IN BOSUN CHAIRS. 846 00:38:38,050 --> 00:38:40,316 THEY WERE USING DYNAMITE TO CARVE 847 00:38:40,319 --> 00:38:43,085 WITHIN 3 TO 5 INCHES OF THE FINAL FACES 848 00:38:43,088 --> 00:38:46,488 AND FINISHED IT OFF WITH HAND TOOLS. 849 00:38:46,491 --> 00:38:50,659 FINALLY, ON OCTOBER 31, 1941, 850 00:38:50,662 --> 00:38:54,663 THE LAST DETAIL IS ETCHED INTO THE FACADE OF THE MONUMENT, 851 00:38:54,666 --> 00:38:57,833 OFFICIALLY COMPLETING BORGLUM'S MASTERPIECE. 852 00:38:57,836 --> 00:39:00,436 MOUNT RUSHMORE IS HAILED AS A LANDMARK ACHIEVEMENT 853 00:39:00,439 --> 00:39:01,937 OF PUBLIC ART 854 00:39:01,940 --> 00:39:04,940 AND IMMEDIATELY BEGINS DRAWING TOURISTS 855 00:39:04,943 --> 00:39:06,909 THE WORLD OVER. 856 00:39:06,912 --> 00:39:09,912 BUT OVER THE NEXT 70 YEARS, 857 00:39:09,915 --> 00:39:12,581 RUMORS CIRCULATE THAT THERE IS A SECRET VAULT 858 00:39:12,584 --> 00:39:14,817 CARVED INTO THE MOUNTAINTOP. 859 00:39:14,820 --> 00:39:17,986 SO DID GUTZON BORGLUM REALLY CREATE A SANCTUARY 860 00:39:17,989 --> 00:39:20,489 FOR THE COUNTRY'S MOST IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS 861 00:39:20,492 --> 00:39:28,197 BEHIND THE GIANT FACES OF MOUNT RUSHMORE? 862 00:39:28,200 --> 00:39:30,933 MOUNT RUSHMORE-- THE VERY NAME CONJURES UP 863 00:39:30,936 --> 00:39:35,104 GIANT IMAGES OF OUR COUNTRY'S GREATEST PRESIDENTS-- 864 00:39:35,107 --> 00:39:37,106 GEORGE WASHINGTON, THOMAS JEFFERSON, 865 00:39:37,109 --> 00:39:38,974 ABRAHAM LINCOLN, AND THEODORE ROOSEVELT. 866 00:39:38,977 --> 00:39:40,976 BUT FOR SOME, WHAT'S MOST INTRIGUING 867 00:39:40,979 --> 00:39:43,779 ABOUT THESE GIANT STONE PORTRAITS 868 00:39:43,782 --> 00:39:45,447 IS WHAT'S BEHIND THEM. 869 00:39:45,450 --> 00:39:47,783 FOR YEARS, RUMORS HAVE CIRCULATED 870 00:39:47,786 --> 00:39:51,120 THAT THERE'S A SECRET VAULT CARVED INSIDE THE MEMORIAL. 871 00:39:51,123 --> 00:39:54,123 BUT IS IT REALLY THERE? 872 00:39:54,126 --> 00:39:58,127 A DEEPER LOOK INTO THE MEMORIAL'S FORMATION 873 00:39:58,130 --> 00:40:01,930 REVEALS THE TRUTH THAT SPARKED DECADES OF WHISPERS. 874 00:40:01,933 --> 00:40:05,334 1938, SOUTH DAKOTA-- 875 00:40:05,337 --> 00:40:09,405 NEARLY 11 YEARS AFTER BREAKING GROUND ON MOUNT RUSHMORE, 876 00:40:09,408 --> 00:40:11,407 ITS MASTERMIND, GUTZON BORGLUM, 877 00:40:11,410 --> 00:40:14,209 SETS TO WORK ON A NEW PROJECT, 878 00:40:14,212 --> 00:40:16,044 THE HALL OF RECORDS. 879 00:40:16,047 --> 00:40:19,047 HIS VISION IS TO CARVE OUT AN IMPENETRABLE REPOSITORY 880 00:40:19,050 --> 00:40:21,316 DEEP WITHIN THE MOUNTAIN 881 00:40:21,319 --> 00:40:23,786 TO HOUSE THE ORIGINAL DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE 882 00:40:23,789 --> 00:40:25,721 AND THE CONSTITUTION. 883 00:40:25,724 --> 00:40:27,222 HE HAD GREAT VISIONS 884 00:40:27,225 --> 00:40:30,125 OF WHAT HE WANTED MOUNT RUSHMORE TO SYMBOLIZE, 885 00:40:30,128 --> 00:40:32,127 AND THE HALL OF RECORDS THAT HOUSED 886 00:40:32,130 --> 00:40:33,962 THE ORIGINAL FOUNDATION DOCUMENTS 887 00:40:33,965 --> 00:40:35,631 WOULD BE AN EXTENSION OF THAT. 888 00:40:35,634 --> 00:40:38,534 OVER THE COURSE OF THE NEXT YEAR, 889 00:40:38,537 --> 00:40:40,869 BORGLUM MAKES PRODIGIOUS PROGRESS, 890 00:40:40,872 --> 00:40:43,172 BLASTING OUT A 70-FOOT-DEEP VAULT 891 00:40:43,175 --> 00:40:46,575 INTO THE GRANITE JUST BEHIND MOUNT RUSHMORE'S GIANT FACES. 892 00:40:46,578 --> 00:40:50,279 BUT ULTIMATELY THE GREAT HALL IS NOT MEANT TO BE. 893 00:40:50,282 --> 00:40:52,948 HE SPENT APPROXIMATELY $16,000 894 00:40:52,951 --> 00:40:55,851 ON THE PROJECT, 895 00:40:55,854 --> 00:40:58,554 AND CONGRESS DID NOT KNOW ABOUT THE PROJECT. 896 00:40:58,557 --> 00:41:00,522 BUT ONCE THEY GOT WIND OF IT, 897 00:41:00,525 --> 00:41:04,092 CONGRESS REALIZED THAT HE WAS TAKING MONEY 898 00:41:04,095 --> 00:41:06,328 AND RESOURCES AWAY FROM THE FACES 899 00:41:06,331 --> 00:41:08,330 AND WANTED HIM TO REFOCUS 900 00:41:08,333 --> 00:41:11,433 ON THE MAIN CARVING PROJECT. 901 00:41:11,436 --> 00:41:14,102 FOR NEARLY 60 YEARS, 902 00:41:14,105 --> 00:41:15,971 THE HALL OF RECORDS SITS 903 00:41:15,974 --> 00:41:18,273 AT THE TOP OF MOUNT RUSHMORE, 904 00:41:18,276 --> 00:41:20,275 THE UNREALIZED DREAM OF ITS CREATOR 905 00:41:20,278 --> 00:41:23,312 AND UNKNOWN TO MANY AMERICANS. 906 00:41:23,315 --> 00:41:26,081 BUT IN 1998, 907 00:41:26,084 --> 00:41:28,917 BORGLUM'S FAMILY PARTNERS WITH THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE 908 00:41:28,920 --> 00:41:33,055 TO BRING HIS UNFINISHED PROJECT TO FRUITION. 909 00:41:33,058 --> 00:41:35,524 DRAWING ON THE ARTIST'S ORIGINAL CONCEPT, 910 00:41:35,527 --> 00:41:37,392 16 PORCELAIN PANELS 911 00:41:37,395 --> 00:41:39,294 ARE CEREMONIOUSLY PLACED 912 00:41:39,297 --> 00:41:41,196 INSIDE OF A TITANIUM VAULT, 913 00:41:41,199 --> 00:41:43,832 EACH TABLET PROVIDING A UNIQUE CHAPTER 914 00:41:43,835 --> 00:41:45,834 IN THE HISTORY OF AMERICA 915 00:41:45,837 --> 00:41:49,104 AND THE FORMATION OF ONE OF ITS MOST ICONIC MONUMENTS. 916 00:41:51,675 --> 00:41:53,909 THE PANELS TELL THE STORY OF THE PRESIDENTS. 917 00:41:53,912 --> 00:41:57,212 THEY HAVE THE TEXT OF ALL OF THE FOUNDATION DOCUMENTS. 918 00:41:57,215 --> 00:42:00,382 ANOTHER TELLS THE STORY OF THE CARVING OF MOUNT RUSHMORE 919 00:42:00,385 --> 00:42:03,585 AND A BIO OF BORGLUM. 920 00:42:03,588 --> 00:42:06,421 AND TODAY THESE PANELS REMAIN SEALED 921 00:42:06,424 --> 00:42:10,092 BEHIND THE PRESIDENTIAL PORTRAITS OF MOUNT RUSHMORE, 922 00:42:10,095 --> 00:42:13,362 A TIMELESS COMMEMORATION OF A VISIONARY ARTIST 923 00:42:13,365 --> 00:42:16,465 AND THE COUNTRY'S MOST IMPORTANT HEADS OF STATE. 924 00:42:18,402 --> 00:42:21,036 FROM AN EVIL STATUE 925 00:42:21,039 --> 00:42:23,872 TO A HIDDEN VAULT, 926 00:42:23,875 --> 00:42:26,808 PUZZLING MESSAGES TO HAUNTED LETTERS... 927 00:42:26,811 --> 00:42:28,477 I'M DON WILDMAN, 928 00:42:28,480 --> 00:42:30,512 AND THESE ARE MONUMENTAL MYSTERIES.