The influential speech marking the recognition of civil rights in U.S. history was delivered by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963. His “I Have a Dream” speech eloquently articulated the hopes and aspirations of millions of Americans seeking racial equality and justice. King’s passionate rhetoric galvanized support for the Civil Rights Movement and emphasized the need for legislative changes, such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. This speech remains a defining moment in the struggle for civil rights, inspiring future generations.