Puritans were people categorized by their work towards achieving social, religious, and ethical reforms. They believed that the Church of England had become a product of political struggles, causing the Puritans to flee to America in order to escape religious persecution as well as to achieve freedom of religion. Once the Puritans began arriving in the New World, many of them settled in the New England region. Led by John Winthrop. Wanted to live quiet, simple lives Puritans were the first people to write books specifically for children. They didn't have parties, or listen to music or dance They didn't celebrate holidays including Christmas and Easter. In 1620 the first Puritans came to Massachusetts on the Mayflower Puritans founded and supported Harvard College The Puritan faith is still active on the international scale The descendants of the Puritans today are called Congregationalists or Presbyterians. The puritans were behind various witch scares, hunt, and trials (organized the Salem Witch Trials). They dressed in all dull colors. The Puritans loaded more beer than water onto the Mayflower before they cast off for the New World Carr, Karen. "Puritans - History for Kids!" Kidipede - History for Kids Homework Help for Middle School. 3 Mar. 2011. Web. 07 Mar. 2011. <http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/northamerica/after1500/ religion/puritans.htm>. Hansen, David J. "Puritans to Prohibition." Alcohol Problems and Solutions. D. J. Hansen. Web. 07 Mar. 2011. <http://www2.potsdam.edu/hansondj/FunFacts/PuritansToPr ohibition.html>. Seipel, Stephany. "Facts About Puritans | EHow.com." EHow. EHow, Inc, 08 Sept. 2010. Web. 07 Mar. 2011. <http://www.ehow.com/facts_6962196_puritans.html>.