The arrival of the Mayflower on the eastern shore of America in 1620 has endured as a symbol of the desire for religious freedom that caused many early colonists to undertake the arduous voyage from Europe to the New World. Many of the Mayflower's passengers were English Separatists, often called Puritans because they wanted to “purify” the Church of England. The Separatists stood in violation of English law, which made it illegal not to attend Church of England services and exacted severe penalties for conducting unofficial services.