The word “Illuminati” has a documented historical association with the Bavarian Illuminati, an organization founded in Bavaria in 1776 by Adam Weishaupt.
The historical organization existed within the intellectual, political and philosophical environment of eighteenth-century Europe. Its history has subsequently been interpreted in many different ways.
In the modern era, the Illuminati has become a major subject of books, films, music, internet discussions and conspiracy theories.
Historical distinction: Modern organizations using the Illuminati name should not automatically be presented as the same organization as the historical Bavarian Illuminati. Historical records, modern organizational claims and popular theories should be considered separately.