August 20

430: The Vandals, a
Germanic tribe, established a kingdom in North Africa.  The Jews lived there peacefully and
flourished until the Almohad conquest in the 11th century.

636: Arab forces defeat
the Byzantine Christians at the Battle o…

Good evening, and welcome to #ourCOG Daily Brief for August 19, 2026. In today’s top stories, U.S. news highlights include the University of Michigan’s controversial decision to ditch first-semester grades, aimed at helping students acclimate, though critics fear eroding academic rigor. Cyberattacks on U.S. water facilities last month revealed vulnerabilities, particularly in smaller towns, with […]