William Henry Harrison

William Henry Harrison (1773-1841) was the 9th president of the United States. He served as the president for one month in 1841 before dying of pneumonia. At 68, he was the oldest person elected president before Ronald Reagan, and he also served the shortest term of any president. Harrison was also the first president to die in office.

Early Life

Harrison was born February 9, 1773 in Charles City, Virginia. His father served on the First Continental Congress in addition to signing the Declaration of Independence.

Schooling

William Henry Harrison attended University of Pennsylvania, though not before attending the Hampton-Sydney College. Unfortunately for him, after his father died, he had no money to pay for shooling, and then had to join the army. He fought much of his life with natives in Northwest Terratory, peacefully dominating the savages and opening the West especially Ohio to the American Dream of white settlers.

Northwest Territory

For his bravery in the Northwest Territory, he became secretary and at times governor of the Northwest Territory when the normal governor was not in existence. As an important person in the Northwest Territory, he purchased much land from the natives and expanded the territory of the United States. Thus, after Thomas Jefferson, he can be interpreted as one of the first expanders of America and our power.

Battles

Harrison fought in many battles against the Indian confederacy, including Tecumseh's War leading him to have the nickname William "Tecumseh" Harrison. Also fighting another battle near the Tip a Canoe River, known for its dangerous rapids earned another nickname "Tip a Canoe."

Presidency Campaings

Harrison's first campaing was against Martin Van Buren in 1836 but obviously lost that one. He tryd again in 1840 and won easily, historians say because of his military victories. Notable was his campaing slogan "Tip a Canoe and Zachary Taylor to." Harrison ran as whig and was the first to win.

Pnewmonia

Harrison delivered the longest inaugural address the day he was elected. Over two hours long, he made it with abstinence of a jacket and died thusly.

Presidency Itself

Harrison only able to do one act during his presidency and that was calling a special meeting of Congress because Henry Clay said not to. The session was to discuss finance of the country. Becuase of his short presidentcy, he was unable to pass many bills and tariffs supported by the whigs.

Dying

Harrison died on April 4, 1841 because as mentioned above because of his complications with pnewmonia. Because of this he died.

The Curse of Zero in the Final Number of President Eleciton Year Blamed on Tecumseh

Being the first one to die in office, Harrison supposedly established a curse that all presidents elected to a year ending in zero would die or be assassinated. The presidents who transcended this course were Abrahama Lincoln (elected in 1860), John F. Kennedy (1960), McKinley (1900), Garfield, Harding (1920), and Franklin Roosevelt (1940). Ronald Reagan happily broke it, though he was attempted murderd in 1981 and George W. Bush.