Martin Luther King Jr. famously challenged the status quo during the Civil Rights Movement in the United States. A prominent leader and advocate for nonviolent protest, King's approach emphasized principles of equality, justice, and love. Through powerful speeches and organized marches, such as the 1963 March on Washington, where he delivered his iconic "I Have a Dream" speech, he galvanized public support for racial equality. His efforts helped dismantle institutionalized segregation and discrimination, culminating in landmark legislation like the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, transforming American society.