Pirates are criminals who rob seagoing vessels. In 2008, there were 95 pirate attacks off the coast of Somalia, including the hijacking of the Sirius Star. On November 19, 2008, the Saudi government negotiated with pirates who hijacked a supertanker carrying $100 million of crude oil.ABC News: World Deals With Out Of Control Pirates (November 19, 2008) On the same day, the Indian navy destroyed what they called "a mother ship" of pirates in the Gulf of Aden.Foxnews.com: Indian Navy Destroys Pirate 'Mother Ship in Battle (November 19, 2008) The International Maritime Bureau said the ship attacks by pirates were "getting out of control."ABC News: World Deals With Out Of Control Pirates (November 19, 2008) Pirates have a long history as the subjects of various legends, books, artwork and movies.
Infamous Historical Pirates
- Edward "Blackbeard" Teach
- William Kidd
- "Black Sam "Samuel Bellamy
- Sir Francis Drake
- Anne Bonny
- Calico Jack
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Fast Facts
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November 17, 2008
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November 19, 2008
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There were 95 pirate attacks off the coast of Somalia in 2008; 39 successfully capturedABC News: World Deals With Out Of Control Pirates (November 19, 2008)
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The word pirate has also been applied to people who use the Internet to illegally copy, counterfeit or reproduce original works, as in "digital piracy"
