Martin Luther King Jr. is recognized for his influential role in the American human rights movement. As a prominent leader in the Civil Rights Movement during the 1950s and 1960s, King advocated for nonviolent protests to combat racial segregation and injustice. His leadership during events like the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the March on Washington, along with his powerful "I Have a Dream" speech, galvanized public support for civil rights initiatives. King's philosophy of nonviolence not only inspired African Americans but also influenced other movements worldwide, making him a lasting symbol of the struggle for social justice and equality.