Tecumseh, the renowned Native American leader, is said to have cursed the United States by vowing to bring misfortune to seven presidents from beyond the grave, a narrative woven into his storied legacy. This raises questions about the origins of the curse and whether it has ever truly been lifted.

Two centuries ago, Tecumseh, head of the Shawnee tribe, is believed to have proclaimed a curse upon the American government, although no formal record exists detailing his exact words. The crux of the legend suggests that any president elected in a year concluding with a zero would not survive their term. While one might dismiss such a prophecy, the trajectory of history reveals an uncanny truth: the Curse of Tecumseh seemingly manifested.

The chain of events began with William Henry Harrison, who was elected in 1840 and succumbed to pneumonia early in 1841, and extended to John F. Kennedy, assassinated three years into his presidency after being elected in 1960.

Falling Star, or Leaping Cougar, as Tecumseh is sometimes translated, was born in 1768 into a world where Native American existence was rapidly diminishing due to colonial expansion. He emerged as a formidable figure in the conflict against settlers, fueled by personal loss; his father had been killed by colonizers during his childhood.

As young Tecumseh became embroiled in Little Turtle’s War, a conflict uniting various tribes against U.S. forces, he fought alongside Miami Chief Little Turtle, seeking retribution against the settlers. Their coalition achieved multiple victories against American troops, yet ultimately, they were defeated in 1794 at the Battle of Fallen Timbers, resulting in the loss of their homeland around the Ohio Valley, which led to the establishment of the states of Ohio and Indiana.

Despite Little Turtle’s inclination towards peace, Tecumseh remained resolute in his opposition to American encroachment. After earlier confrontations with Harrison, who had become governor, Tecumseh's mistrust only deepened.

Tecumseh famously advised against fearing death, urging his people to embrace their fate with courage, contrasting the fear he saw in others. Despite the hatred instilled in him for settlers due to personal tragedy, he maintained a moral compass, condemning acts of brutality against captives.

Alongside his brother, known as the Prophet for his spiritual visions, Tecumseh sought to unify Native tribes against American expansion. His efforts were met with both resistance and support, as he aimed to forge a confederation spanning from Michigan to Georgia, despite ongoing conflicts.

The relentless cycle of violence persisted, prompting Governor Harrison to attempt to undermine Tecumseh's alliances. As tensions escalated, Harrison mustered a thousand troops to advance on Prophetstown, Tecumseh's stronghold. During Tecumseh's absence in search of allies, the settlement fell to American forces, leading to its destruction.

In the summer of 1812, a new conflict erupted between the United States and Great Britain, with Tecumseh aligning himself with British forces who shared his vision of an independent Indian state serving as a buffer against American expansion. Following a series of military successes, including the capture of Fort Detroit, Tecumseh's fortunes changed dramatically with the death of his British ally, General Brock, in 1812.

The culmination of their efforts led to the Battle of the Thames on October 5, 1813, where Tecumseh met his fate, lamenting the loss of his people. In the aftermath, the United States ultimately triumphed over both British and Native forces, with the peace treaty restoring pre-war territorial boundaries but leaving Native Americans further marginalized.

Although Tecumseh did not fulfill his aspirations, legend has it that he cast a lingering curse upon U.S. presidents elected in years ending in zero, starting with Harrison. Over the following century and a half, several presidents met untimely ends, seemingly at the behest of this curse. Yet, as time progressed, the curse's influence appeared to diminish. President Ronald Reagan, elected in 1980, survived an assassination attempt, and George W. Bush narrowly escaped injury during a shoe-throwing incident in 2008.

Ultimately, Tecumseh's curse may be relegated to the realm of folklore, as the pressures of the presidency and the inherent dangers of political life continue to shape the fates of American leaders.