Tecumseh And The Presidential Curse Coincidence

I have written previously about Tecumseh, the Shawnee Native American, but I hadn't heard before about Tecumseh's curse.

Tecumseh died, or rather was killed, at the Battle of the Thames, on October 5, 1813. His death signified the end of united Indian resistance against the Americans. Since that date USA Presidents being elected in a year ending 0 (zero) would die in office - and it is this that is said to be Tecumseh's curse.

How does the curse stand up. Pretty good actually.

1840: This was the start of the curse in the election of that year when William Henry Harrison came to power and had the shortest presidency of any USA President. He was President for exactly one month and then died of pneumonia.

1880: James Garfield didn't do much better than Harrison as he was President for just 200 days. He was killed on July 2, 1881, as a result of being shot by assassin Charles J. Guiteau on July 2, 1881.

1990: The election this year was won by William McKinley for a second term in office. He also came to an unfortunate end. He was shot by Leon F Czolgosz, on Sept. 11, 1901, and died on Sept. 14 1901.

1920: Warren G Harding, a Republican, became the 29th President of the United States. On August 2, 1923 he suffered a stroke and died at the age of 57.

1940: Franklin D Roosevelt was elected for a third term as President in the 1940 election. This came to an end on April 12, 1945 when he died of a cerebral hemorrhage.

1960: The youngest US President, John F Kennedy, was elected and, as everyone no doubt knows, was assassinated on November 22, 1963.

1980: Now this is where the curse hopefully ended. Ronald Reagan, the oldest US President, won the 1980 election and survived to tell the tale. But in saying that, the curse had a good go at bringing his Presidency to an end.

There was an assassination attempt on Monday, March 30 1981. While leaving a speaking engagement at the Washington Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C, President Reagan and three others were shot and wounded by John Hinckley, Jr.

Some say that Reagan survived because of his wife, Nancy's involvement with mediums and astrologers. Joan Quigley, an astrologer, supposedly pre-warned Nancy that March 30th was a day of concern and would be a bad day for Ronald - and it very nearly proved fatal.

So has Tecumseh's curse finally been broken? Was there ever one in the first place? Time will perhaps tell.

P.S. I've also seen Tecumseh's Curse called the Presidential Death Cycle and the Zero-year Curse.

For a more positive side to Tecumseh see the post The Tecumseh And Shawnee Way To Live And Die

Other Famous Coincidences:
Famous Coincidences: King Umberto I
Famous Coincidences: Mark Twain
Abraham Lincoln And John F Kennedy Coincidences

Tecumseh And The Shawnee Way To Live And Die

If we look there is wisdom to be found in most cultures.

The following is a quote from the Shawnee Native American Tecumseh, sometimes known as Shooting Star, Tecumtha or Tekamthi.

His birthdate isn't known for sure but was probably around March 1768. He died, or rather was killed, at the Battle of the Thames, on October 5, 1813. His death signified the end of united Indian resistance against the Americans.

I won't go into the rights and wrongs of what happened but here is the quote from Tecumseh, who was something of a mystic along with being a warrior. They are surely guidelines, even for today, on how to live our lives:

"So live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart. Trouble no one about their religion; respect others in their view, and demand that they respect yours.

Love your life, perfect your life, beautify all things in your life. Seek to make your life long and its purpose in the service of your people.

Prepare a noble death song for the day when you go over the great divide.

Always give a word or a sign of salute when meeting or passing a friend, even a stranger, when in a lonely place. Show respect to all people and grovel to none.

When you arise in the morning give thanks for the food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies only in yourself.

Abuse no one and no thing, for abuse turns the wise ones to fools and robs the spirit of its vision.

When it comes your time to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with the fear of death, so that when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way.

Sing your death song and die like a hero going home."

I think that says it all.

Further Reading:
Black Elk On Peace And At The Door Of Death