The term "Illuminati" originally referred to a group called the Bavarian Illuminati, founded in 1776 in Germany. This secret society aimed to promote Enlightenment ideals like reason and freedom from religious and political oppression. Members believed in using knowledge to improve society, but the group was disbanded in the late 1780s. Today, "Illuminati" often refers to various conspiracy theories suggesting that a powerful elite secretly controls world events. These theories link the Illuminati to famous figures and organizations, claiming they manipulate governments and economies. However, there is no credible evidence supporting these claims, making them more fiction than fact.