The Daily Valet. - 5/5/23, Friday
✔️ What's Up With This?
Friday, May 5th Edition
By Cory Ohlendorf, Valet. Editor
Who’s up for a road trip?
Today’s Big Story
What’s Up With Cinco de Mayo?
How did the holiday become more popular in the United States than Mexico?
It's Cinco de Mayo ... are you celebrating? If so, do you know what you're celebrating? Despite a popular misconception here in the States, Cinco de Mayo doesn't commemorate when Mexico gained its independence from Spain.Cinco de Mayo marks Mexico's against-all-odds victory against invading French troops in 1862. 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.It might also surprise you that it's not even a major event in Mexico. Despite being a Mexican holiday, it's far more celebrated here in the States—first by Mexican immigrants in Texas, then by the population at large. Why? Well, there is some American history here too.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 meant that the French were leaving North America, so the Confederacy wasn't able to use them as an ally to win the war. Anyone remember that interesting tidbit from your history textbooks? Nah, me neither.While there are Cinco de Mayo celebrations throughout Mexico, notably in the city of Puebla, the event doesn't compare to the celebrations of Día de la Independencia, one Chicanx historian told USA Today. For many Mexicans, she said, May 5th is a day like any other. It's not a federal holiday, so offices, banks and stores remain open. While here in America, it has, like most holidays, become something of a day of drinking. There's nothing wrong with having a margarita or two today, just make sure to share this interesting history with your friends while you're sipping.
FYI:
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.
King Charles III’s Coronation Kicks Off
Britain's new king will officially don the crown
Millions of people worldwide are expected to watch the televised coronation Saturday of Britain's new king (and queen)—the first such ceremony in 70 years. According to the BBC, it will be a weekend of celebrations and traditions dating back 1,000 years.For instance, the whole ritual comes with some interesting objects, each with its own importance and symbolism in sealing a bond among the monarch, the people, the church and God, reports NBC News. The chair King Charles will sit in has played a role in coronations for 700 years. But an engraved spoon (for sacred oil) is estimated by historians to date back to 1154, during the time of Henry II.But do you care? After all, over here in the former colonies, most Americans are less than enthusiastic. Some 59% of Britons have a favorable view of King Charles, according to the Wall Street Journal. But among U.S. adults, Charles is rather weak tea, with 15% having a positive view of him. Is he just too stuffy? Is it the extramarital affairs or his public feud with Prince Harry? Maybe it's just the time difference. For U.S. palace watchers, viewing the coronation—or any royal pageantry—means subjecting oneself to an unlordly wake-up time. If you want to see Charles get crowned, the procession will kick off shortly after 5 a.m. Eastern.
FYI:
Prince Charles was the first heir to the throne to earn a university degree. He studied archaeology at the University of Cambridge, later switching to history.
Social Security Recipients Surge
Several major events have likely contributed to the spike, experts says
The number of people receiving Social Security benefits in the United States had been rising consistently from 1980 until 2008. But growth accelerated between 2008 and 2022, with registrations increasing from a little more than 50 million to now 66 million. That means that enrollment in Social Security has more than doubled since the 1970s.What's behind the surge? Experts say several major events have likely contributed to the spike in recipients. These include the 2008 financial crisis and the pandemic that began in 2020, both of which left people without full-time employment. The U.S. population also increased from 309 million in 2010 to more than 333 million in 2022, which also contributed to the growth in the number of those getting Social Security. (Ok, Boomers.)Meanwhile, the program will be seeing a lot of changes this year, many of them tied to the biggest cost-of-living adjustment in more than 40 years. According to Yahoo Finance, the 8.7% jump in the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment is the highest since an 11.2% increase in 1981. Not surprisingly, the steep hike this year is due to the soaring inflation rate.
Smart savings:
The Motley Fool outlines why you can't live off of Social Security alone in retirement.
Route 66 Is Turning 100
And Some states have renovations in the works
The great open highway. “America's Main Street.” Since its creation in 1926, Route 66 has been a symbol of American freedom that offered adventurous types much more than a way to get from point A to point B. During its heyday, Route 66 breathed life into countless small towns and inspired everything from hit songs to great American novels. And in 2026, it will celebrate its centennial birthday.Even though Route 66 officially exited the federal highway system in 1985, long stretches of the road remain. And there's still plenty of distinctive architecture, roadside attractions and other reminders of a particular moment in American automotive history. During the last century, Route 66 has gone from an essential part of a nation's transportation to a neglected roadway to a beloved part of its history—and with that century mark in mind, some changes are on the way, reports InsideHook.Several states, including Oklahoma and Illinois (where the highway originates), are observing the looming centenary with renovations to the roadway. This includes $3.7 million in Illinois state funds under the auspices of the Route 66 Grant Program. As for what it's like to travel Route 66 now, a few recent travelogues illustrate its charm. Writing for the Los Angeles Times, Brady MacDonald offered some advice to travelers pondering a drive: “There will always be a hotel somewhere along the road,” he says. “I just wanted to search for a connection to the places and the people along the fabled Mother Road.”
FYI:
Many Black motorists faced racial prejudice, price gouging and physical violence while traveling in those early days of Route 66. They relied on an important guide book to safely plan trips.
In Other News
It marks the third decisive victory for the Justice Department in three seditious conspiracy trials.
Ex-Wives, ‘Access Hollywood’ and a ‘Big Fat Hoax’: Moments From Trump’s Deposition in the E. Jean Carroll Case
Have you heard about ...
A Weekend Pairing
‘The Other Two’ + a Whiskey Ginger Highball
Sometimes a show comes along and it's so funny and bizarre, you can completely get lost in the hilarity and just enjoy yourself fully for a good 30 minutes. And that's exactly what The Other Two provides. If you managed to miss out on the first two seasons, you're in luck because the showbiz satire is back on HBO Max. Season three somehow manages to take even bigger, more surreal swings without missing a beat—or losing its heart.The series lampoons the entertainment world and the long, arduous pursuit of fame by Brooke (played by Heléne Yorke) and Cary Dubek (Drew Tarver), the unlucky siblings of a Bieber-esque popstar. But at its core, it's a story about a family, helmed by lovable matriarch Pat Dubek (Molly Shannon). Is the show absurd? Absolutely. But the fact that critics from WIRED and Mashable to Vanity Fair are all raving about it, should tell you that this is a wildly hilarious series that somehow manages to appeal to any and everyone.
Pair It With
For this week's pairing, I wanted a simple cocktail that only required two ingredients. See what I did there? And the whiskey ginger highball is, by far, my favorite in this duet-style drink category. Blended, bourbon, Canadian, and rye whiskeys all work very well with a good ginger ale that adds a pop of spice and a subtle sweetness to the drink.
Also Worth a Watch:
‘A Small Light’ on Disney+ and ‘Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story’ on Netflix
Shopping
What We’re Buying
An All-Khaki Look
If you want take your tonal dressing to the next level, try to get an identical shade of khaki for the button-down and pants. It's an unpredictable look and keeps you cool while out in the sun. For a layering piece, reach for something that will complement the texture of a cotton twill, like a lightweight cardigan for chilly evenings.
Get the Look:
Your unexpected all-khaki kit for spring.
Morning Motto
Trust your gut.
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