The Daily Valet. - 5/5/22, Thursday

✔️ What Do You Know?

Thursday, May 5th Edition

Cory Ohlendorf, Editor in Chief of Valet.

Are you planning on celebrating today?

Cory Ohlendorf , Editor ⋯ @coryohlendorf

Today’s edition is presented by

Today’s Big Story

What Do You Know About Cinco de Mayo?

How did the holiday become more popular in the United States than Mexico?

Despite a popular misconception here in the States, Cinco de Mayo doesn’t commemorate when Mexico gained its independence from Spain.

But if you thought today was Día de la Independencia, you aren’t alone. A 2020 YouGov survey found only 40% of Americans knew May 5 wasn’t commemorating Mexico’s independence. Instead, the holiday celebrates the date of the Mexican army’s May 5, 1862 victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War.

According to the History Channel, the battle lasted from daybreak to early evening, when the French finally retreated. The victory in Puebla galvanized the Mexican forces but turned out to be short-lived. France occupied the country (installing Maximilian I as emperor). It took five more years for the Mexican Republic to finally expel the French, execute Maximilian I and regain control of the country.

So why is it celebrated in the U.S.? As the French and Mexicans were battling, the U.S. was embroiled in our Civil War. Napoleon III had aligned with the Confederacy but the loss at Puebla and the resources he expended in Mexico helped derail his strategy to continue northward and help the Confederacy. News of the victory in Puebla “electrified Latinos in California, Nevada and Oregon into redoubling their efforts to defend freedom, equality and democracy in both the United States and Mexico,” a historian told CNET.

In Mexico, the festivity is marked in the state of Puebla with historical re-enactments of the Battle of Puebla, parades, mariachi music, colorful costumes and fireworks. For many Mexicans, however, May 5 is a day like any other. It’s not a federal holiday, so offices, banks and stores remain open.

Then how’d it become such a boozy American holiday? Well, the simple answer is that we turn every and any holiday into an occasion to drink, don’t we? According to the Associated Press, beer companies targeted Mexican Americans during the 1980s and ’90s by encouraging them to celebrate their heritage with Coronas and Dos Equis. The article notes, “for Americans without Mexican ancestry, the holiday seems to simply serve as an excuse to drink margaritas.” And hopefully celebrate Mexican culture and traditions.

↦ FYI: Thrillist has pulled together everywhere you can get free food and cheap drinks today.

Will Putin Declare War?

Ukrainian officials raise warnings about Russia’s Victory Day

American and European officials are increasingly concerned that Vladimir Putin will use Russia's Victory Day holiday on May 9 to officially declare war on Ukraine and seek to mobilize his citizens.

On Wednesday, the Kremlin denied it had any such plans. Experts also said that an announcement of a draft would likely generate backlash among Russian citizens. So far, Putin has referred to his invasion of Ukraine as a “special military operation,” and told Russian citizens that the conflict is limited in scope.

But with heavy fighting continuing across Ukraine's east, and Moscow still struggling to seize complete control of the Mariupol steel plant (home to the city's last holdout fighters), Ukrainians are wary. Officials say Mariupol residents are being forced to clear debris in the city ahead of a planned “celebration” on Monday. Ukraine's defense intelligence agency said the festivities would be part of the Kremlin's “large-scale propaganda campaign.”

Regardless of Putin's intentions, E.U. leaders hope a new proposal to ban all Russian oil imports within the next six months will cut off his ability to finance the war. The bloc's 27 member states must first approve the proposal (two have raised objections), but if accepted, the move would be a significant step for the E.U., which imported 35% of its oil from Russia in 2020.

↦ Meanwhile: As the invasion enters its third month, Putin’s ruling class is feeling the burn. Puck says it’s a reminder that they were never so chummy in the first place.

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For new or expectant mothers, make their first Mother's Day a memorable one.

Corporate America Doesn’t Usually Talk About This

But they are taking about abortion ...

Little doubt remains about what the Supreme Court plans to do with Roe v. Wade. But uncertainty abounds about ripple effects as the court nears a final opinion expected to overturn the landmark 1973 case that created a nationwide right to abortion.

The news clearly caught corporate America off-guard, reports the Washington Post. Business leaders are now grappling with the realization that a slew of state abortion laws were simply dress rehearsals for a bigger, nationwide policy shift. And companies, which are usually reluctant to get involved with such hot button issues, are uncharacteristically getting involved.

The ruling comes as many companies in the last few years have grown accustomed to pressure from customers (and employees) asking them to take a stand on sensitive social issues. In a Pew Research poll in 2021, 59% of Americans said they believed that abortion should be legal in all or most cases, while 39% said it should be illegal in all or most cases. People on both sides of the issue feel strong about it, with nearly a quarter of Americans saying they will only vote for candidates who share their views.

For many women, their employers' benefit packages may soon be the only way they could afford a legal abortion. Amazon is the latest corporation to cover employees' travel costs to seek abortion care. The company's announcement echoes similar moves by more than a dozen top brands that have vowed to help employees bypass Republican-led efforts in several states to effectively ban abortion.

↦ Dig Deeper: Fast Company looks at how limiting access to abortion could harm the economy (and women’s well-being).

Real Leather, Grown in Labs

A California-based biotech firm claims it can recreate leather at the cellular level

First there was Pinãtex. Still a relatively new company, they're upcycling the offcut leaves of the pineapple farming industry into a leather substitute. But now there's another ethical and sustainable leather source making the news: cow-free, lab-grown leather.

VitroLabs isn't making a leather alternative but rather actually replicating cow hide—free of any ethical and environmental quandaries. Luxury giant Kering has joined forces with the California company which is a big vote of confidence.

According to Gear Patrol, VitroLabs makes an interesting point: “It doesn't matter how high-quality the new raw material is if no specialized craftspeople—the ones trusted by luxury brands both big and small—know how to work with it. Alternative leathers should act, adhere, age, bend, curve, cut and dry like real leather, or widespread adoption will happen too slowly.”

So how do they do it? VitroLabs says it can grow sheets of leather from a small tissue sample, harvested from the animal just once. That cow is unharmed in the process, and it won't need to be swabbed ever again. The cells are then held in a nutrient-rich environment, where they grow into a complex hide containing all the proteins that make it such a durable material.

↦ FYI: The lab-grown leather could be in production by next year and VitroLabs is exploring exotic skins like crocodile as well.

In Other News

↦ Covid’s Toll in the U.S. Reaches a Once Unfathomable Number: 1 Million Deaths

↦ Intuit Owes You Money If It Tricked You Into Paying for the TurboTax “Free Edition”

↦ Education Department Forgives Student Loans of More Than 110,000 People in Public Service

Other Things We’re Talking About Today

Jumping around

Ocean mysteries

The best driving roads

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Sweet Gifts for New Moms

Everyday lounge set,$149 by Happiest Baby

For new or expectant mothers, make their first Mother's Day a memorable one. Include a gift that's thoughtful, indulgent and practical too. Let's face it, there will be a lot of laundry in her future. And The Laundress makes the mundane task an absolute pleasure with their luxury detergents and other fabric care products. And Happiest Baby specializes in the best products for both baby and mom. Get mom something both thoughtful and useful this year.

No.723 gift set, $39 by The Laundress

Le Labo detergent duo, $100 by The Laundress

5-second baby swaddle, $32.95 by Sleepea

Smart Sleeper bassinet, $1,595 by Snoo

Delicate kit, $56 / $50 by The Laundress

↦ Browse: More gifts from The Laundress and Happiest Baby

What We’re Buying

General Admission is probably one of my favorite brands at the moment. They just put out solid go-to garments that use durable fabrics in laid back and relaxed silhouettes. This garment-dyed zip fleece is executed perfectly and is a great sweatshirt option for spring and summer. Featuring a soft 13½ oz 100% cotton, the vintage wash finish makes it look like you've owned it for years with an already authentic patina from the get-go. They also have two other colors that are half off, so at this rate, buy two for the original price of one.

↦ Get It: $180 / $90 by General Admission