<P> Puritans did not celebrate traditional holidays such as Christmas, Easter or May Day . They also did not observe personal annual holidays, such as birthdays or anniversaries . They did, however, celebrate special occasions such as military victories, harvests, ordinations, weddings and births . These celebrations consisted of food and conversation . Beyond special occasions, the tavern was an important place for people to gather for fellowship on a regular basis . </P> <P> Increase Mather wrote that dancing was "a natural expression of joy; so that there is no more sin in it, than in laughter ." Puritans generally discouraged mixed or "promiscuous" dancing between men and women, which according to Mather would lead to "unchaste touches and gesticulations...(that) have a palpable tendency to that which is evil ." Some ministers, including John Cotton, thought that mixed dancing was appropriate under special circumstances, but all agreed it was a practice not to be encouraged . Dancing was also discouraged at weddings or on holidays (especially dancing around the Maypole) and was illegal in taverns . </P> <P> Puritans had no theological objections to sports and games as long as they did not involve gambling (which eliminated activities such as billiards, shuffleboard, horse racing, bowling and cards). They also opposed blood sports, such as cockfighting, cudgel - fighting and bear - baiting . Team sports, such as football, were problematic because "they encouraged idleness, produced injuries, and created bitter rivalries ." Hunting and fishing were approved because they were productive . Other sports were encouraged for promoting civic virtue, such as competitions of marksmanship, running, and wrestling held within militia companies . </P> <P> Only a few activities were completely condemned by Puritans . They were most opposed to the theater . According to historian Bruce Daniels, plays were seen as "false recreations because they exhausted rather than relaxed the audience and actors" and also "wasted labor, led to wantonness and homosexuality, and invariably were represented by Puritans as a foreign--particularly French or Italian--disease of a similar enervating nature as syphilis ." All forms of gambling were illegal . Not only were card playing, dice throwing and other forms of gambling seen as contrary to the values of "family, work, and honesty", they were religiously offensive because gamblers implicitly asked God to intervene in trivial matters, violating the Third Commandment against taking the Lord's name in vain . </P>

Who were the puritans and what were they trying to accomplish