Tecumseh's Curse

There's a legend called "Tecumseh's Curse" that supposedly foretells the death, while in office, of any president elected during years ending in zero. Chief Tecumseh was killed by soldiers under W. H. Harrison's command in 1813. An 1836 play had Tecumseh cursing the white man as he lay dying on the battlefield. There's no evidence that Tecumseh actually cursed Harrison, or anyone else, but the whole thing is pretty spooky just the same.

Here's the grim roll call:

• Harrison, elected in 1840, died of pneumonia after serving 31 days.
• Lincoln, elected in 1860, assassinated.
• Garfield, elected in 1880, assassinated.
• McKinley, elected to a second term in 1900, assassinated.
• Harding, elected in 1920, died of a stroke in 1923.
• Roosevelt, elected to a third term in 1940, died of a cerebral hemorrhage in 1945.
• Kennedy, elected in 1960, assassinated.

Reagan, elected in 1980, was shot in an assassination attempt.

Bush, elected in 2000, well... we know he's brain dead. Does that count?