Top 10 Strange and Unusual Curses

Curses have been a part of human history for centuries, with some even originating in Biblical times. While often dismissed as mere superstition, many of these curses are surrounded by chilling tales and unexplained phenomena. Here, we explore the ten most renowned curses in history.

10. Björketorp Runestone

Among a collection of ancient runestones discovered in Blekinge, Sweden, this one dates back to the 6th century AD. These stones, some towering up to 4.2 meters, are arranged in circles or stand independently. The Björketorp Runestone features a mysterious inscription that has intrigued historians and archaeologists alike.

According to local folklore, the curse was once tested and found to be true. Long ago, a man attempted to remove the stone to expand his farmland. He surrounded it with wood, intending to heat it and then crack it with water. Despite the calm weather, a sudden gust of wind redirected the flames, setting his hair ablaze. As he rolled on the ground to put out the fire, it spread to his clothing, leading to his agonizing death. Miraculously, the fire around the runestone was extinguished as if a giant hand had shielded it.

The Curse of the Bambino describes the streak of misfortune that plagued the Boston Red Sox after they traded Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees in 1920. Before the trade, the Yankees had never won a World Series, but Ruth turned their fortunes around. Meanwhile, the Red Sox endured an 86-year championship drought, finally breaking it in 2004. Their victory coincided with a rare total lunar eclipse during the World Series, adding to the drama, especially since they defeated the Yankees to claim the title.

William Henry Harrison became president in 1840, campaigning with the slogan “Tippecanoe and Tyler Too,” referencing his role in the 1811 Battle of Tippecanoe. He died just one year into his term. This marked the beginning of a strange pattern: every U.S. president elected in a year ending with zero from 1840 to 1960 died in office. The affected presidents include Harrison (natural causes), Lincoln (assassinated), Garfield (assassinated), McKinley (assassinated), Harding (natural causes), F. Roosevelt (natural causes), and Kennedy (assassinated). Ronald Reagan, elected in 1980, survived an assassination attempt, narrowly escaping the curse.

The Superman Curse is believed to bring misfortune to those associated with the Superman franchise. Notable victims include George Reeves, who portrayed Superman on TV and died by suicide, and Christopher Reeve, who was paralyzed after a horseback riding accident. Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, the creators of Superman, are also often cited as victims, as they received little financial gain from their creation due to DC Comics owning the rights. Some believe Siegel and Shuster cursed the character out of frustration over their unfair treatment. Even John F. Kennedy is rumored to have been affected; shortly before his assassination, a Superman story endorsing his fitness program was approved for publication. Due to this curse, many actors have declined the role of Superman in recent films, including Paul Walker (Top 10 Bad Male Actors), whose acting skills might have been more detrimental to the role than any curse.

The Curse of the Billy Goat began in 1945 and is said to haunt the Chicago Cubs. The story traces back to Billy Sianis, a Greek immigrant who brought his pet goat, Murphy (or Sinovia), to Game 4 of the 1945 World Series at Wrigley Field. The goat wore a sign reading, “We got Detroit’s goat,” and was initially allowed to parade on the field. However, due to complaints about the goat’s smell, Sianis and the animal were ejected. Enraged, Sianis allegedly cursed the Cubs, declaring they would never win another pennant or host a World Series at Wrigley Field. The Cubs lost the 1945 World Series, and Sianis famously wrote to owner Philip Wrigley, “Who stinks now?” The team endured decades of poor performance, finishing in the second division for 20 consecutive years until 1967, when Leo Durocher became manager.

On September 30, 1955, at 5:45 p.m., Hollywood legend James Dean tragically died in a car crash. His Porsche Spyder, nicknamed “Little Bastard,” collided head-on with another vehicle. Dean’s mechanic and friend, Rolf Wutherich, was ejected and survived, but Dean suffered fatal injuries, including a broken neck. The other driver, Donald Turnupseed, escaped with minor wounds. After the accident, George Barris, a renowned car customizer, purchased the wreck for $2,500. Upon delivery, the Porsche fell on a mechanic, breaking both his legs. Barris’s unease grew when, during a race at the Pomona Fair Grounds in 1956, two doctors racing cars with parts from “Little Bastard” met disaster. Troy McHenry died after his car, equipped with the Porsche’s engine, crashed into a tree, while William Eschrid survived a rollover, blaming the car for locking up mid-curve. The car’s eerie history continued until it mysteriously disappeared in 1960, its location still unknown.

The Kennedy Curse is a term used to describe the string of tragedies that have befallen the Kennedy family. While such events could occur in any family, the frequency and severity of misfortunes have led some to believe in a curse. Notable victims include John F. Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy, both assassinated while serving in public office, and John F. Kennedy Jr., who died in a plane crash in 1999. Other family members who have faced hardship include Rosemary Kennedy, who underwent a disastrous lobotomy; Joseph Kennedy Jr., killed in World War II; Edward Kennedy Jr., who lost a leg at age 12; and Michael Kennedy, who died in a skiing accident.

The Hope Diamond, originating in 1642, is renowned for its stunning blue color, exceptional size, clarity, and rich history. This deep blue ovoid diamond measures 25.60 by 21.78 by 12.00 millimeters and weighs 45.52 carats. It is set in a pendant surrounded by sixteen white diamonds. The diamond’s unique color comes from a combination of blue (due to boron) and gray hues. It is infamous for allegedly bringing misfortune to its owners. Legend has it that Tavernier, a French merchant, stole the diamond from a statue of the Hindu goddess Sita in India. He later met a gruesome end, torn apart by wild dogs in Russia. King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, who owned the diamond, were executed during the French Revolution. The diamond was eventually donated to the Smithsonian Institution, where it is now displayed in the National Museum of Natural History as part of the National Gem and Mineral Collection.

The 27 Club, sometimes referred to as the Forever 27 Club, is a term used in popular culture to describe a group of influential rock and blues musicians who tragically died at the age of 27, often under mysterious circumstances. The criteria for inclusion in the club is debated, but it gained prominence due to the unusually high number of notable musicians who passed away at this age within a short timeframe. Commonly listed members include Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison, and Brian Jones. Kurt Cobain is also frequently added to the list due to his significant influence on modern music.

Shortly after the discovery of Tutankhamen’s tomb, tragedy befell Lord Carnarvon, the expedition’s financier. At 57, he fell ill from an infection caused by an insect bite and died in Cairo. Legend claims that at the moment of his death, Cairo experienced a sudden blackout, and his beloved dog in England howled and died simultaneously. Strangely, Tutankhamen’s mummy, unwrapped in 1925, bore a wound on the left cheek, mirroring Carnarvon’s fatal bite. By 1929, eleven individuals linked to the tomb’s discovery had died prematurely under unusual circumstances, including Carnarvon’s relatives, Carter’s secretary Richard Bethell, and Bethell’s father, Lord Westbury, who committed suicide by jumping from a building, leaving a note expressing his inability to endure further horrors.

This article is licensed under the GFDL. It uses material from the Wikipedia articles: Björketorp Runestone, Curse of the Billy Goat, Kennedy Curse, and 27 Club

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