Peaceful Protestors Rally at Capitol, 1917

This photograph captures a gathering of pacifists outside the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C., on April 3, 1917. At this pivotal moment, President Woodrow Wilson was soliciting Congress for a declaration of war as the nation grappled with its entry into World War I. The image shows a collective voice of dissent amid a deeply divided public, highlighting the growing anti-war sentiment during this tumultuous time. Taken by a Bain News Service photographer, the image reflects a significant moment in American history when debates about war, peace, and national identity were intensely felt across the country.