The beginning of civil rights activism in America is often marked by the Montgomery Bus Boycott, which began in 1955. Sparked by the arrest of Rosa Parks for refusing to give up her bus seat to a white person, the boycott lasted for over a year and was organized by civil rights leaders, including Martin Luther King Jr. It mobilized the African American community to challenge segregation and discrimination in public transportation. This event galvanized the movement, setting the stage for future actions and solidifying the importance of nonviolent protests in the fight for civil rights.