Picture Source: National Park Service

Tecumseh was a great Chief of the Shawnee Nation. Tecumseh was born in the Shawnee village of Piqua, Ohio on March 9, 1768. As he was born a meteor burned its way across the sky. This is how Tecumseh got his name, which translated into English means Celestial Panther Lying In Wait. He became a famous warrior as he grew up. Not only was he a great warrior but he was also a great speaker who could motivate his audience. He felt that that the white man would never stop until he had driven all the indians off their land or killed them.

Tecumseh's brother had become a prophet among the indians and espoused giving up all the ways of the white man. He became known as Tenskwatawa, his real name being Lalawethica.

William Henry Harrison was Governor of the Indian Territory at the time and hated all indians. He did his best to undermine Tenskwatawa by challenging him to prove he was a true prophet by making the sun stand still. On the day Tenskwatawa accepted the challenge a solar eclipse occurred. Tenskwatawa was now even more revered by his people.

Harrison didn't give up, taking advantage of the indians whenever he could. In 1809 he made a treaty with a group of intoxicated chiefs in which they gave three million acres of land that they didn't own to the US.

In 1811 Tecumseh traveled south to meet with indians from many tribes. He promised to show them a sign of his power. When he arrived in Alanama a comet streaked across the sky. When he left Alabama to return to his land a series of earthquakes struck from Missouri throughout the midwest and southern US.

When Harrison found out that Tecumseh had left for Alabama he attacked the indians at Tippecanoe and burned the indian settlement to the ground. Since Tenskwatawa was in the settlement, the indians lost faith in him and scattered.

During the war of 1812 Tecumseh joined forces with the British on the promise of an independent Indian nation. Tecumseh was placed in command of all indian forces by General Brock. Many victories followed and Tecumseh personally prevented the slaughter of US troops at Fort Meigs by the British. As the war progressed General Brock was killed. After many days of running Tecumseh convinced Proctor who was now in charge of the army unit to fight. Tecumseh dreamed of his death the night before but was determined to make a stand.

The Battle of Thames River took place on 5 Oct 1813 and showed Proctor for what he really was as he ran. Tecumseh was killed. Harrison was propelled into the presidency.

Before he died Tecumseh stated that any man who was elected president of the United States in a year which was divisible by 20 would die in office. Seven presidents have died in office so far. They were:

William Henry Harrison - elected 1840
Abraham Lincoln - elected 1860
James A. Garfield - elected 1880
William McKinley - elected 1900
Warren G. Harding - elected 1920
Franklin Roosevelt - elected 1940
John F. Kennedy - 1960

President Regan was shot but didn't die as we all know. It is said that Nancy Regan did everything she could to try and break the curse.

Most people feel the curse is over.