The Black Panther Party was significant in the civil rights movement as it advocated for African American self-determination, empowerment, and social justice during the late 1960s and early 1970s. Founded in 1966 by Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale, the Party aimed to address systemic racism, police brutality, and socioeconomic inequality. They established community programs, such as free breakfast for children and health clinics, which highlighted the Party's focus on grassroots activism. While controversial for their militant stance, the Black Panthers brought attention to issues of racial injustice and influenced public discourse around civil rights, leaving a lasting legacy on the movement.