PIRATES

The Surprising History Behind 5 Popular Halloween Costumes

The origins of these classic costumes are probably not what you would expect.

A pirate flag with the distinctive eyewear.

Why Did Pirates Wear Eye Patches?

Did pirates wear eye patches to see better in the dark? Find out the truth behind the iconic style choice.

Rhys Darby as Stede Bonnet in 'Our Flag Means Death.'

Stede Bonnet, the Real-Life ’Gentleman’ Pirate Who Inspired ’Our Flag Means Death’

Centuries later, Stede Bonnet’s motivations and actual aptitude for piracy remain unclear. But he still managed to make the history books—in his nightgown, no less.

‘Capture of the Pirate, Blackbeard, 1718,’ a 1920 painting depicting the battle between Blackbeard and Lieutenant Robert Maynard in Ocracoke Bay.

12 of the Fiercest Real-Life Pirates in History

They pillaged, they invaded, and they obeyed only the sea laws they made up as they went along.

Why Do We Say People Pass ‘With Flying Colors’?

Like so many other phrases, the meaning of ‘pass with flying colors’ has nautical roots.

Henry Every pulled off one of history's biggest pirate heists.

Henry Every and the Pirate Heist That Rocked the World

Henry Every’s raid of the Ganj-i-Sawai was so large, it triggered a diplomatic crisis. Yet few people have heard of this audacious pirate.

What’s the Difference Between a Pirate and a Buccaneer?

Four hundred years ago, if you were a seafaring thief, the label that you received said a great deal—mainly about whoever it was doing the labeling.

Rockfleet Castle, which Grace O’Malley used as a base

Grace O'Malley, the Fearless 16th-Century Irish Pirate Queen Who Stood Up to the English

She debated with Queen Elizabeth I, sat at the head of a prosperous pirate empire, and told the English where to go.

14 Facts About International Talk Like A Pirate Day

Happy Talk Like a Pirate Day! Let’s hoist the Jolly Roger, break out the rum, and look back at the holiday’s timber-shivering history.

Archaeologists Say They May Have Found the Skeleton of the Pirate "Black Sam" Bellamy

The bones were found near Bellamy's ship, the Whydah, which wrecked off the coast of Massachusetts in 1717.

10 Pirate Landmarks You Can Visit

See shipwrecks, a graveyard, and the sites of (allegedly) buried treasure—no plank-walking required.

7 Historic Beaches Worth a Visit on the U.S. Virgin Islands

Presented by U.S. Virgin Islands.

Score a Free Krispy Kreme Doughnut by Talking Like a Pirate

Get some tasty grub in your gullet.

Meghan Roberts via Wikimedia // CC BY 2.0

6 Unexpected Island Namesakes

Forget explorers, saints, or officials: These islands were named after more unusual people.

Famed pirates Anne Bonny, John 'Calico Jack' Rackam, and Mary Read

10 Misconceptions About Pirates

Contrary to what Disney would have you believe, pirates probably didn't say "arrrr."

7 Places Blackbeard’s Gold Could’ve Been Stashed

Little is known about the early life of privateer-turned-pirate Edward “Blackbeard” Teach, whose massive, knotted beard struck fear in the hearts of seamen throughout the Caribbean and Eastern U.S. for a brief spell in the early 18th century. However, his

Tracking the Origins of 7 Pirate Stereotypes

Turns out, the odds are very low there's any buried treasure.

14 Swashbuckling Facts About Treasure Island

This coming-of-age story featuring swaggering pirates, sea battles, and a quest for buried treasure is one of the most enduring adventure tales of all time.

Did Pirates Really Make People Walk the Plank?

How to Celebrate Talk Like A Pirate Day

Bartholomew “Black Bart” Roberts/Getty Images

11 Rules from an Actual Pirate Code

Some might seem remarkably progressive to modern readers, while others definitely won’t.

14 Awesome Ice Cube Trays

It might be hip to be square, but when it comes to ice cubes, it’s way cooler to think outside the cube. Aside from providing something unique to add to any drink, these 14 great ice cube tray varieties are also a great way to really geek up any nerdy coc