Today in History Thursday 07/23/2026

636    Arabs took control of most of Palestine from the Byzantine Empire 
1148    Crusaders began siege of Damascus during Second Crusade only to abandon it a couple weeks later on July 28 
1215    Frederick II was crowned King of the Romans aka King of the Germans in Aachen 
1579    Francis Drake departed San Francisco to cross the Pacific Ocean 
1798    Napoleon Bonaparte captured Alexandria, Egypt 
1827    The first swimming pool in the United States opened in Boston, Massachusetts 
1829    William Austin Burt patented the first typewriter in America 
1937    Yale University announced the isolation of pituitary hormone 
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This is the reboot of an ongoing project and though effort has been made to ensure accuracy, it is possible that errors may become introduced into this list. Errors brought to my attention via my contact form are both handled promptly and appreciated. Thanks!