Skull and Bones is one of the most well-known and secretive collegiate societies in the United States, founded in 1832 at Yale University by students including William Huntington Russell and Alphonso Taft (father of President William Howard Taft). Often referred to as “The Order” or “The Brotherhood of Death,” the society selects about 15 Yale seniors each year, typically those who show strong leadership, influence, or prominence on campus. The society is famous for its strict secrecy, mysterious initiation rituals, and exclusive meetings held in a windowless, mausoleum-like building on Yale’s campus known as “The Tomb.” Members, known as “Bonesmen,” maintain lifelong ties and often go on to hold powerful positions in politics, business, and law. Notable alumni include Presidents William Howard Taft, George H. W. Bush, and George W. Bush, as well as former Secretary of State John Kerry. Because of its secrecy and elite membership, Skull and Bones has been the subject of numerous conspiracy theories, with claims of global political influence and connections to the CIA. The society has also been a recurring theme in pop culture, portrayed in books and films such as The Skulls and often cited in discussions of elite American institutions.

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