The Blue Laws were the first printed laws of New Haven Colony in Connecticut. They were termed the Blue Laws because either they bound in blue or written on blue paper.

The early Blue Laws of New Haven Colony were publicized by Samuel Peters in a book titled A General History of Connecticut that was first published in London sometime in 1781. Of the 45 laws that were published, most were never strictly enforced. Other might be a product of the author's imagination.

Here's some of the more famous of the 45 laws:

  • No food or lodging shall be afforded to a Quaker, Adamite, or other Heretic.
  • No Priest shall abide in this Dominion: he shall be banished, and suffer death on his return.
  • No one shall travel, cook victuals, make beds, sweep house. cut hair, or shave, on the Sabbath day.
  • Whoever brings cards or dice into this Dominion shall pay a fine of 5 pence.
  • No one shall read Common- Prayer, keep Christmas or Saints-days. make minced pies, dance, play cards, or play on any instrument of music, except the drum, trumpet, and jewsharp.
  • Every male shall have his hair cut round according to a cap.