The Moratorium to End the War in Vietnam on Oct. 15, 1969, was a huge gathering of antiwar protesters across the United States. Boston had the largest turnout in the country with an estimated 100,000 people assembled at the Boston Common. This was the largest demonstration in Boston’s history. The peace rallies put the antiwar movement in the national spotlight and in the thoughts of mainstream America. Although it made a bold statement, their message was not heard, as the war continued on for several years. - Leanne Burden and Lisa Tuite

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  Paul J. Connell/Globe Staff

  Oct. 15, 1969: The biggest demonstration in Boston's history happened on Vietnam Moratorium Day as an estimated 100,000 persons shouted in cadence on Boston Common that they wanted the Vietnam War ended "Now!"
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  Jack O'Connell /Globe Staff

  Oct. 15, 1969: Democratic Senator George McGovern of South Dakota, introduced by Harvard professor John Kenneth Galbraith, addressed the Moratorium Day crowd telling them, "We seek not to break the president, but to lift the terrible burden of war from his shoulders and from the American people."
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  Joseph Runci /Globe Staff

  Oct. 15, 1969: The Civil War monument, Soldiers' and Sailors', dedicated on Sept. 17, 1877, provided a vantage point for several onlookers in the Moratorium Day crowd.
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  Joseph Runci/Globe Staff

  Oct. 15, 1969: Boston's African-American community remained largely uninvolved in the demonstration. Individual spokesmen said they preferred to focus on domestic injustices instead of on the war in Vietnam. Here, though, a small group rallied on the Tremont Street side of the Boston Common.
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  Thomas E. Landers/Globe Staff

  Oct. 15, 1969: These boys parade along Charles Street with American flags decorating the car and signs supporting the troops in Vietnam. Other drivers turned on their headlights to show support for the present policy in Vietnam.
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  Joseph Runci/Globe Staff

  Oct. 15, 1969: As 100,000 persons moved off Boston Common in the late afternoon, a single fistfight broke out between several students arguing over the legitimacy of the protest.
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  Joseph Runci/Globe Stafff

  Oct. 15, 1969: A small skywriting plane drew the peace symbol in the clear blue sky over the Boston Common. Two others planes not shown here were alternately towing "We support Nixon" and "End the War in Vietnam" signs.