The primary focus of the American civil rights movement in the 1960s was to end racial segregation and discrimination against African Americans and to secure legal recognition and federal protection of their civil rights. Activists organized protests, marches, and sit-ins, drawing attention to injustices faced by Black Americans, particularly in the southern states. Landmark events like the 1963 March on Washington and the 1964 Civil Rights Act highlighted the struggle for equality. Leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and Malcolm X emerged, advocating for nonviolent resistance and greater awareness of systemic racism. The movement was pivotal in transforming American society and legislation.