Tecumseh’s curse goes back to the early 1800s.

Tecumseh was a Shawnee leader during that time in what was then Indiana territory. I’m not sure if the Shawnee referred to their leaders as "chief", but he was the leader regardless. He had a brother who was like a medicine man or a holy man / spiritual leader named Tenskwatawa (had to look him up to get the spelling right).

William Henry Harrison, prior to his election was governor of Indiana during which time he ceded land away from the Shawnee. Embittered by those "negotiations", Tecumseh and Tenskwatawa convinced other tribes into joining them in attacking Harrison’s army, which led to the battle of Tippecanoe.

Tecumseh lost.

Later, during the war of 1812. Harrison won the Battle of Thames against the British and the indigenous tribes that supported them, furthering his reputation as being anti-Indigenous.

Years later, Harrison ran for president on those victories. Even gave himself the nickname 'Old Tippacanoe’. Outside of being incredibly rude, it’s not always wise to be such a sore winner. People tend to hold grudges over such displays of poor grace.

And they did.

Tenskwatawa cursed him and all presidents who follow him. I’m thinking it was at Tecumseh’s behest or in his memory. Can’t remember exactly. Regardless, a proper cursing took place.

Harrison was elected in 1840 and died within a month of taking office. Stroke or something. If you track it out, every president that was elected in a zero year (every 20 years) since then has died in office. Every single one.

Up until Reagan that is. Though, he survived an assassination attempt. As did George W. (elected 2000). Biden was 78 years when elected so he may not survive office.

It’s known as the Curse of Tippacanoe, Tecumseh’s Curse/Curse of Tecumseh, the 20 years curse. The whole story is part of what could be called folk history. It was one of those brown inset pages in high school level history books. There was a bit more to it, but that’s the best I can remember off the top of my head, though as I said, I definitely had to look up the brother’s name.

At any rate, every zero year election, somebody brings up Tecumseh’s curse like it’s secret knowledge or something and it makes the rounds. On occasion I hear or hear of people trying to make bets on whether or not those Presidents will survive the curse and what’s going to take them out. I do not know of anyone who’s been dumb enough or ill mannered enough to accept such a bet.