We often think that the Puritans who settled our fair City of Boston were traditional, religion-abiding people who considered it sinful to have fun. The lens of time has warped our view of our early ancestors slightly, in that while yes they were of a conservative disposition, they also had progressive views on education. On this day in Boston history, in 1642, the Puritans passed the first law in the New World mandating all children be taught to read and write.

By the time of the law’s passing both the Boston Latin School (1635) and Harvard College (1636) had already been founded. But attending those institutions was hardly mandate and was an expense not every colonist could afford. In response the Puritans passed their law, exemplifying exactly how valuable they considered the education of the public.

According to local history site Mass Moments, though, “Concerned that parents were ignoring the first law, in 1647 Massachusetts passed another one requiring that all towns establish and maintain public schools.”

Interestingly enough, by 1645 it had already been required that all colonial youths aged ten to 16 should receive military training.

The more specific set law was passed in 164, set forth a set of standards and conducts for teaching, not just in the Massachusetts Bay Colony but throughout New England. In 1650 Connecticut passed a similar education law almost word for word. New Hampshire, which had for a short time been apart of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, subsequently split from Mass. but brought the laws of 1642 and 1647 along with it.

It’s important to remember that while public education was made more accessible by law, it wasn’t free. Some were unable to afford sending their children to school and towns were often unable to pay for the schools themselves. Mass Moments notes further that legislators imposed fines on towns that were unable to provide for the upkeep of schools.

It didn’t phase the towns, though. Writes Mass Moments, “Some towns complied grudgingly if at all.”

Education, as we all know today, became a staple of Massachusetts policy. When John Adams wrote the Massachusetts Constitution, he included that all Bay Staters be guaranteed a public education. That sentiment evolved over the next hundreds of years and today, Massachusetts is at the forefront of effective, progressive education.