David Interiano, then Wichita junior, instructs Andy Kim, then Shawnee junior, on where the piñata is during the Cinco de Mayo celebration in the Jayhawk Towers courtyard last year.

Carrie Warner was almost fired for being unavailable to work on Cinco de Mayo last year. The St. Louis junior said Cinco de Mayo was the busiest day of the year at Chevy’s restaurant where she worked.

It’s a good time for people to get drunk, Warner said.

Cinco de Mayo gives students the opportunity to knock back a couple of Coronas and take a couple shots of tequila.

But many of these students don’t know why the holiday was celebrated in the first place.

Today, different organizations on campus are going to educate students about the history behind Cinco de Mayo.

Rebecca Orozco, Kannapolis sophomore and Sigma Lambda Gamma president, said their activities would give students an opportunity to celebrate Mexican culture.

One of the first misconceptions about the day is that it is often confused with Mexico’s independence day, which is September 15.

Chris White, graduate teaching assistant who teaches a course on the history of Mexico, said Cinco de Mayo is in commemoration of a battle Mexican soldiers fought against the French.

September 15 is given a lot more attention and a lot more celebration in Mexico than Cinco de Mayo.

Mily Salazar, Lawrence junior, was born in Mexico City and has been in Mexico for both dates.

“It’s something meaningful, but it’s not something I think much about,” Salazar said about Cinco de Mayo.

She said on the country’s actual independence day, people get out and celebrate with friends and family all dressed in traditional clothing.

Melinda Benavidez, Topeka junior, said the holiday has gotten more Americanized each year. It is seen as just another excuse to drink without an understanding of the day’s purpose.

At noon today the Multicultural Resource Center and the Hispanic-American Leadership Organization will be at Mrs. E’s distributing historical information about Cinco de Mayo. A dancer from Ballet Folklorico de Topeka will also be performing.

The groups will also be giving students information about the DREAM Act, which allows undocumented immigrants in-state tuition and the REAL ID Act, which will make it more difficult for immigrants to get their drivers licenses.

Later in the evening, Sigma Lambda Beta Fraternity and Sigma Lambda Gamma, Delta Gamma and Delta Sigma Phi will sororities will have their third annual Cinco de Mayo celebration from 6 to 9 tonight in Broken Arrow Park, 29th and Louisiana streets. Authentic Mexican food will be served.