US Bullion Depository at Fort Knox, Kentucky

美國肯塔基州 諾克斯堡 黃金儲存庫

Prompt: Elaborate US Bullion Depository at Fort Knox. Give some interesting stories and fun facts.
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美國肯塔基州 Fort Knox（諾克斯堡）黃金儲存庫 是世界上最安全的設施之一，主要用於保管美國的大部分黃金儲備。它是金融安全的象徵，也啟發了許多神話、陰謀論以及好萊塢電影的描寫。以下是關於其歷史、安全措施及一些有趣故事的詳細介紹。

諾克斯堡的歷史

  • 1936 年，美國政府建立了諾克斯堡黃金儲存庫，以應對 大蕭條時期 不斷增加的黃金儲備，並將黃金轉移到內陸，以避免沿海城市可能遭受的襲擊。
  • 1937 年，第一批黃金運送至儲存庫，這些黃金通過裝甲列車在 重兵保護 下運抵目的地。

安全措施：堅不可摧的堡壘

  • 建築結構：儲存庫由 4 英尺（約 1.2 米）厚的花崗岩牆 建成，內部則以鋼鐵和混凝土加固。
  • 金庫大門：主要金庫門重達 超過 20 噸，專為抵禦任何攻擊設計。金庫的開啟需 多名員工各自輸入部分密碼，才能成功解鎖。
  • 周邊防禦：儲存庫周圍設有 高強度圍欄、動態探測器、紅外線監控、武裝警衛及軍事駐守，附近的軍事基地進一步加強了安全防護。

裡面存有多少黃金？

  • 在巔峰時期，諾克斯堡儲存了 超過 6496 萬盎司（約 2 萬公噸）的黃金，按現今市值計算約為 超過 2900 億美元。
  • 目前仍存有 約 1.473 億盎司（約 4600 公噸）的黃金。
  • 黃金以 標準金磚 形式存放，每塊約重 27.5 磅（約 12.4 公斤）。

趣聞與有趣的故事

1. 二戰期間的秘密儲存：歷史文物大遷徙

  • 二戰期間，諾克斯堡不僅儲存黃金，還臨時保管了 無價之寶：
    • 《大憲章》（Magna Carta）（英國借出，以防戰爭損毀）。
    • 《美國獨立宣言》、美國憲法、《蓋茨堡演說》 以及部分 匈牙利皇冠珠寶。
    • 這些文物被秘密轉移到諾克斯堡，以防納粹德國的攻擊或破壞。

2. 唯一一位訪問過的美國總統

  • 1974 年，美國總統 杰拉爾德·福特（Gerald Ford） 成為 史上唯一一位訪問諾克斯堡黃金儲存庫的在任總統。
  • 此舉是為了 消除陰謀論，當時許多美國人懷疑黃金已經被政府私下轉移或消失，於是福特總統邀請國會議員和記者一同參觀，證實黃金依然存在。

3. 007 詹姆士·龐德與《金手指》

  • 1964 年的 詹姆士·龐德電影《金手指》（Goldfinger），講述了一名反派試圖 闖入諾克斯堡並用核彈污染黃金 的故事。
  • 然而，這部電影純屬虛構，至今 沒有人能成功闖入諾克斯堡，這裡仍然是世界上最難攻破的地方之一。

4. 關於諾克斯堡的陰謀論

  • 多年來，一些人質疑 諾克斯堡內的黃金是否還存在，甚至認為黃金已被偷偷挪走或轉移到其他地方。
  • 另一些陰謀論則聲稱，儲存庫內可能藏有 外星人文物、秘密政府文件，甚至 UFO 殘骸。
  • 美國財政部多次澄清，並進行檢查，以證實黃金仍然安全存放。

5. 史上從未發生過黃金失竊

  • 與其他著名搶劫案（如「大火車搶劫案」或「伊莎貝拉·斯圖爾特·加德納博物館盜竊案」）不同，諾克斯堡從未被成功入侵或盜竊。
  • 由於其 軍事級別的安全防護 和 超高強度的設施，幾乎不可能發生黃金被竊事件。

現代角色

  • 儘管諾克斯堡的黃金儲備 不直接用於美國貨幣體系，但它仍然是一個 國家經濟穩定的象徵。
  • 這個設施仍然是地球上 最安全、最神秘 的地方之一，吸引了無數歷史學家、經濟學家及陰謀論者的關注。

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The United States Bullion Depository at Fort Knox, Kentucky, is one of the most secure facilities in the world, primarily known for safeguarding a large portion of the U.S. gold reserves. It’s an iconic symbol of financial security and has inspired myths, conspiracy theories, and Hollywood depictions. Here’s an in-depth look at its history, security, and some fascinating stories.

History of Fort Knox

  • Established in 1936, the Fort Knox Depository was built in response to the increasing gold reserves of the U.S. during the Great Depression and the desire to move gold away from coastal cities vulnerable to attacks.
  • The first shipments of gold arrived in 1937, transported in armored trains under heavy military guard.

Security: Impenetrable Fortress

  • Walls and Doors: The building is made of 4-foot-thick granite walls and reinforced with steel and concrete.
  • Vault Door: The main vault door weighs over 20 tons and is designed to withstand any attack. It requires multiple staff members, each knowing only part of the access code, to open.
  • Surrounding Defenses: Fort Knox is protected by fences, motion detectors, infrared surveillance, armed guards, and military personnel. The surrounding military base further enhances its security.

How Much Gold Is Inside?

  • At its peak, Fort Knox held over 649.6 million ounces (around 20,000 metric tons) of gold, valued at more than $290 billion today.
  • Currently, it holds about 147.3 million ounces of gold.
  • The gold is stored in standard bars, each weighing 27.5 pounds (12.4 kg).

Fascinating Stories & Fun Facts

1. Secret WWII Storage: The Magna Carta & Constitution

  • During World War II, Fort Knox stored priceless historical artifacts:
    • The Magna Carta (loaned from England for safekeeping).
    • The Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, the Gettysburg Address, and even some of the Hungarian crown jewels.
    • These were kept in Fort Knox to protect them from possible German attacks or sabotage.

2. A Presidential Visit – The Only One Ever

  • In 1974, President Gerald Ford became the first and only sitting U.S. president to visit the Depository.
  • His visit was an attempt to dispel conspiracy theories that claimed the gold had vanished. Journalists and Congress members were also invited, confirming the gold was indeed still there.

3. The James Bond Connection – Goldfinger (1964)

  • The famous James Bond film “Goldfinger” featured a plot to break into Fort Knox and irradiate its gold supply.
  • In reality, no one has ever successfully breached Fort Knox, and the movie’s plan (exploding a nuclear device to make the gold unusable) was pure fiction.

4. Rumors & Conspiracies

  • Over the years, some have speculated that Fort Knox is empty and that the U.S. government secretly removed its gold.
  • Others suggest it holds alien artifacts, secret government files, or even UFO wreckage.
  • However, the U.S. Department of the Treasury insists the gold remains intact and periodically confirms its presence.

5. No One Has Ever Stolen From Fort Knox

  • Unlike other famous heists (like the Great Train Robbery or the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum heist), Fort Knox has never been successfully robbed.
  • Given its military-grade security and heavily fortified structure, it would be virtually impossible to break in and escape.

Modern Role

  • While Fort Knox’s gold reserves are not actively used in the U.S. monetary system, it serves as a symbol of economic stability.
  • The facility remains one of the most secure locations on Earth and continues to fascinate historians, economists, and conspiracy theorists alike.

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