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Pentagon

Photo: J Hokkanen, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

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The Pentagon is a distinctive five-sided building serving as the headquarters of the United States Department of Defense, located in Arlington, Virginia. Completed in 1943, it covers 29 acres and contains approximately 6.5 million square feet of floor space, making it one of the world's largest office buildings. The structure was designed by architect George Bergstrom and built in just 16 months during World War II to consolidate the scattered offices of the War Department. Its unique pentagonal shape was chosen to fit the available land and has become an iconic symbol of American military power. The Pentagon has gained attention in popular culture through accounts like computer hacker Gary McKinnon's 2002 infiltration of military and NASA systems, where he claimed to discover evidence of a secret space fleet and "non-terrestrial officers"—a narrative featured in Ancient Aliens discussions about hidden aerospace programs. However, McKinnon was prosecuted under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, and no classified documents substantiating his UFO-related claims have been publicly released or verified by independent sources. While the Pentagon undoubtedly houses classified military projects, the specific allegations about extraterrestrial technology remain unconfirmed by official records or mainstream scientific investigation.

Timeline

1941

Construction begins on the Pentagon building

1943

Pentagon officially completed and becomes Department of Defense headquarters

2001

Pentagon attacked during September 11 terrorist attacks

2002

Gary McKinnon allegedly hacks Pentagon computers, claiming to find UFO-related evidence

What the Show Claims

›Gary McKinnon's 2002 hacking revealed evidence of a secret American space fleet and 'non-terrestrial officers' in Pentagon computer systems
S10E09
›The Pentagon maintains classified programs involving extraterrestrial technology and personnel
S10E09
›Government agencies systematically cover up UFO encounters and alien contact
S10E09

What Archaeology Says

The Pentagon is a modern military facility rather than an archaeological site, but its construction history reveals fascinating logistical achievements. Built during the urgent needs of World War II, the building was constructed using innovative techniques for its time, including the use of reinforced concrete and steel frame construction. The project required moving massive amounts of earth and coordinating thousands of workers under wartime constraints.

The building's design reflects practical military considerations rather than ancient mysteries. Its five-sided shape was determined by the original plot of land and traffic flow requirements, while its low height (five stories) was intended to minimize steel usage during wartime rationing. The structure includes 17.5 miles of corridors designed for efficient movement of personnel.

From a security and intelligence perspective, the Pentagon houses extensive classified facilities and communication systems. The building underwent major renovations following the September 11 attacks, incorporating enhanced security measures and blast-resistant features. While conspiracy theories suggest hidden alien-related programs, official records document conventional military and defense operations.

The Gary McKinnon case remains controversial, with the hacker claiming to have found evidence of extraterrestrial programs while authorities maintained he accessed only standard military databases. No classified documents supporting his claims were ever publicly released, and cybersecurity experts note that file names and directory structures can be misleading without proper context.

Mysteries & Fun Facts

The Pentagon contains 7,754 windows and uses its own ZIP code: 20301

During construction, the building was designed so that no point inside is more than a 7-minute walk from any other point

The Pentagon has twice as many bathrooms as necessary because it was built during segregation when separate facilities were required

Approximately 23,000 military and civilian employees work in the Pentagon daily

Planning a Visit

Getting There

The Pentagon offers limited public tours that must be booked well in advance through official channels, with strict security screening requirements. Tours provide access to select corridors and historical displays but exclude classified areas. The Pentagon Memorial, commemorating 9/11 victims, is freely accessible to the public.

Nearest City

Washington, D.C., approximately 3 miles northeast

Best Time to Visit

Tours operate year-round on weekdays, though availability is limited and advance reservations are essential. Spring and fall offer the most comfortable weather for visiting the outdoor memorial.

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