No one could have anticipated the success of a movie based on a Disney ride, but "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl" did just that. Even

The current war on terror situates the mighty force of the United States military against disparate and local resistance forces. But this isn't the first time America has taken on

Perhaps the most memorable pirate in the world of children's literature is Captain James Hook. Created by Scottish novelist and playwright, J.M. Barrie, he is the villain and leader of

It can be difficult to discern between fact and fiction when it comes to the pirates who truly terrorized history's savage seas. Fictionalized accounts expand on folklore traditions. Actual individuals

Pirate ships were individually modified to fit the needs of the captain and crew of pirates. Smaller ships like sloops and schooners were used for quick attacks and the boarding

Caribbean pirates—whose seafaring skills were lauded during times of war—became persecuted criminals once peace was established in the region during the 1700s. Hired by governments to pillage enemy ships and

Johnny Depp is back as Captain Jack Sparrow for more swordplay, swash-buckling, sailing and rum in the second installment of the pirate trilogy, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest,

Considered history's most infamous, terror inspiring swashbuckler of the Golden Age of Pirates, Blackbeard's name alone charged fear into the heart of every seaman from the Caribbean to the Carolinas.

Before Johnny Depp donned his cutlass for his role as Cap'n Jack Sparrow in 2003's "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl" and reprisal role in 2006's

It began as an idea: a mere ride at Disneyworld's Epcot center. But in 2003, “Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl” debuted on the silver screen boasting