JUNE 16, 1806

THE ECLIPSE OF THE SUN PREDICTED BY SHAWNEE TENSKWATAWA (THE PROPHET) OCCURS

In April 1806, Shawnee leader Tecumseh’s younger brother, Native religious revivalist, Tenskwatawa, whose name meant “Open Door” (also known as “The Prophet”), is said to have correctly predicted an eclipse of the sun—a prediction that helped support Tecumseh’s efforts to create a pan-tribal confederacy to resist U.S. encroachment in the Northwest Territory. The legend has it that General William Henry Harrison, fearing such a confederation, sought to discredit The Prophet’s claims to special powers by daring the Shawnee to ask the Prophet for a sign—”ask him to cause the Sun to stand still or the Moon to alter its course, the rivers to cease to flow or the dead to rise from their graves.” The Prophet, in response, apparently told the Shawnee “Fifty days from this day there will be no cloud in the sky. Yet, when the Sun has reached its highest point, at that moment will the Great Spirit take it into her hand and hide it from us.” The eclipse of June 16, 1806, fulfilled his prophecy.

Sources: 

Carolyn Mulford, “Tecumseh Predicted 1806 Eclipse,” Carolyn Mulford, 8/20/2017.  Retrieved 3/10/2023, Tecumseh Predicted 1806 Eclipse – Carolyn Mulford

“The Prophet, Shawnee leader,” Britannica.  Retrieved 3/10/2023, The Prophet | Shawnee leader | Britannica

Painting:  George Catlin (1796-1872), circa 1830 or 1832. Public Domain. Source: Smithsonian American Art Museum, Accession No. 1985.66.279.