Just like purple and gold unite all University students, the colors red, white and blue unite U.S. citizens of every race, gender, age and background.The University plans to start the holiday early, giving students, faculty and staff the day off on Friday, July 3.”It’s one of the paid holidays in the University’s holiday schedule,” said Robert Doolos, University Registrar. “It’s appropriate given the history of this nation that we observe Independence Day.”Doolos said because the Fourth of July falls on a Saturday, the University is given Friday off, and if the Fourth of July fell on a Sunday, the University would get Monday off. He said all state workers are given 14 paid holidays, and the University uses the Fourth of July as one of those.”To be historically accurate, [the Fourth of July] celebrates a moment of political revolution and military struggle,” said Andrew Burstein, Manship professor of history, in an e-mail. “What began, in effect, as a military alliance among the states, gradually became a solid union … So, the Fourth of July really ought to stand as proof that it is possible to set aside cultural differences and find a larger sense of identity by expanding the definition of what it means to be American.”Jonathan Bennett, ISDS senior, said fireworks are his favorite July Fourth tradition, but he won’t be able to enjoy them this year because of the studying he has to do for the many classes he is taking during the short summer session. Even though some University students will be studying, others like Tayler Veillon, psychology sophomore, will be enjoying the holiday with friends and family. “I am going with my boyfriend and a couple of friends to his aunt’s house,” Veillon said. “They have canoe races … We’ll pop fireworks and eat. They celebrate it pretty big.”Burstein said fireworks have been around since the actual Independence Day. He also said public orations were given on the Fourth of July across the country for the first century after the U.S. achieved its independence from Great Britain.”The speakers not only remembered the Revolution and heralded the march of freedom, but also addressed unresolved social issues, admitting to America’s imperfections,” he said.Even though fireworks have remained through history, the Baton Rouge Tea Party plans to bring public speeches back by holding an Independence Day Rally on the Capitol steps.”We want to send a message,” said Jeffery Blanco, spokesman for the Baton Rouge Tea Party. “We want the state legislatures to start looking out for Louisiana … We want to inform people that the Tea Party’s out here. What we want to do is give people an option so they can stand up to government … to stand up and express their views.”The rally will ask the question: Dependence or Independence Day? Blanco said the Baton Rouge Tea Party will address people on whether Americans today want to be independent from or dependent on their government. Blanco said they will talk about issues such as health care, government finances and current legislation.”We formed the group earlier this year in February out of concern of the national debt, federal deficit and the economy,” said Blanco in an e-mail. “We simply do not believe that you can stimulate the economy by running up deficits. One of the major concerns is money that we could have spent in other areas, or even in tax breaks by not having to pay interest on debt. The bigger the debt, the bigger the cost of interests is going to be. That’s money that could be used elsewhere.”Blanco welcomes both followers and opponents to the Baton Rouge Tea Party’s beliefs, saying “If we can prove you wrong, good. And if you can prove us wrong, even better.”—-Contact Mary Walker Baus at [email protected]