Tecumseh's Curse, sometimes referred to as the Curse of Tippecanoe, is the term used to describe the pattern of U.S. presidents who have died, been assassinated or endured an assassination attempt while in office after being elected on years ending in zero.
Tecumseh's Pattern
- William H. Harrison: Elected 1840, died April 4, 1841 (pneumonia)
- Abraham Lincoln: Elected 1860, died April 15, 1865 (assassination)
- James A. Garfield: Elected 1880, died September 19, 1881 (assassination)
- William McKinley: Elected 1900, died September 14, 1901 (assassination)
- Warren G. Harding: Elected 1920, died August 2, 1923 (likely stroke)
- Franklin D. Roosevelt: Elected 1940, died April 12, 1945 (cerebral hemorrhage)
- John F. Kennedy: Elected 1960, died November 22, 1963 (assassination)
- Ronald Reagan: Elected 1980, assassination attempt on March 30, 1981
- George W. Bush: Elected 2000, did not die in office, no known assassination attempts
References
Fast Facts
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Fact:
Named after William Henry Harrison's appearance in the Battle of Tippecanoe, where he defeated Tecumseh's forcesSlate: Bush's Legacy: He Survived! (January 14, 2009)
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Fact:
Harrison won 1840 election with slogan "Tippecanoe and Tyler Too"Slate: Bush's Legacy: He Survived! (January 14, 2009)
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Fact:
Also known as Curse of Tippecanoe, President's Curse, Zero-Year Curse, 20-Year CurseSlate: Bush's Legacy: He Survived! (January 14, 2009)
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Fact:
Presidents elected on years ending in zero have either died, been assassinated or endured an assassination attempt in officeSlate: Bush's Legacy: He Survived! (January 14, 2009)
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Fact:
Ronald Reagan was the first president who fit the pattern since Harrison not to die in office, though he was shot in an assassination attemptSlate: Bush's Legacy: He Survived! (January 14, 2009)
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Fact:
George W. Bush is the first president to fit the Tippecanoe pattern and escape death or an assassination attempt while in officeSlate: Bush's Legacy: He Survived! (January 14, 2009)
