Ok- I will try to answer your question, but as I am a history whiz, I have to give you some historical background first.
Quakers were a sect of Christians that came out of England and Ireland in the 1600's. Many of the early Quaker ministers were fiery Irishmen. The early Quakers believed in simplicity of dress, seperatism, and epuality. Quakers put more emphasis on the Holy Spirit than any other Christians of the time. Quaker meetings were traditionally a period of sillence in which anyone (male or female) who felt called to speak could do so. Quakers didn't have creeds or an established doctrine and disregarded rituals and sacraments. They called themselves the "society of friends," but were stuck with the name "Quakers" when one of their leaders told an English judge that he "should quake at the name of the Lord!" Quakers were usually pacifists and would not swear or take oaths. Some refused to hold public office.
Many Quakers immigrated to Pensylvania around 1680-1720. Some of my Quaker ancestors moved to the wilderness when they saw "non-Christians" moving into Pennsylvania. Quakers took a stand for women's rights and were usually against slavery. During and before the Civil War (1860s and earlier) many Quakers were abolitionists who worked with the underground railroad. Quakers also used antiquated English pronouns (thee, thou, thine, ect.) until around 1900.
Over the last 100 years, Quakers have split into many different groups. Most are pacifists, but every meeting (congregation) is different. A few have held to the same beliefs of the 1600s. They live on farms and are dress like 1600s Puritains. Sunday meetings take all day and follow the old Quaker time-of-silence/feel-the-Spirit idea. They have large families and teach their children about the Bible. Many groups have gone to the other extreme and embraced the philosophies of liberalism, world peace, and loooooove. They have no defined beliefs and dress/act like everyone else. Sunday mornings are a "fellowship time" in which people of all religions can spend time in quiet peace and meditation. Some have mostly accepted modern evangelicalism, and their worship services are just like any contemporary service except for a 15 minute period of silence. It seems to me there are a number of in between groups too, but I know less about them and each meeting really is different.
I hope this answers your questions. If any of this is confusing, ask me!
God bless you,
Grace Ryan