Decoding The Past is a documentary series broadcast on The History Channel which examines historical mysteries, supposed prophecies and secret societies.
This particular documentary is called Mysteries Of The Freemasons and is split into two episodes.
The Freemasons are the world's oldest and largest secret society. The organisation has five million members worldwide, and over 15,000 lodges.
Thirteen American Presidents, including George Washington, Franklin Roosevelt and Harry Truman, have been Masons; notable European Masons have included Voltaire, Goethe and Schiller.
This programme explores the recurrent allegation that the United States of America is a product of Freemasonry. It joins excitable conspiracy theorists, eminent historians, and even the bestselling novelist Dan Brown, in the quest to discover the truth about the Freemasons of America.
Stephen Bullock, Brent Morris and Dan Burstein explore the suggestion that Freemasons led the American Revolution, framed the Declaration of Independence and Constitution and designed Washington D.C.
The show explains that the history of Freemasonry is inextricably linked with the history of the United States.
George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Paul Revere and John Hancock all took their freemasonry extremely seriously, opposing both the Church and England. They led the struggle for a new America, and were deeply committed to Enlightenment ideals of equality, religious freedom and the rule of reason.
Historians have argued that George Washington's seemingly innocuous designs for the American capital belie a profound Masonic influence. Washington D.C's geometrical and symmetrical forms allegedly communicate Washington's firm desire to create a nation based on reason; not bound by religion.
The Freemasons are also said to have left their distinctive mark on U.S Currency, and the Washington Monument.
Throughout their extensive history, Freemasons have faced insulting allegations and preposterous conspiracy theories at every turn. In the 1790's, rumours that the Masons were working closely with the Illuminati, a radical European terrorist group, took hold and refused to abate.
The advent of Albert Pike's mystical, secretive strain of Freemasonry gave rise to suggestions that Lucifer-loving Masons were dabbling in the occult.
This documentary peels away these layers of hearsay, sensationalism and damaging dilettantism to paint a comprehensive and candid picture of an important and honourable thread in the fabric of America.