Martin Luther King Jr. is remembered as a leader of the American Civil Rights Movement, playing a crucial role in the struggle for racial equality and justice during the 1950s and 1960s. With a philosophy rooted in nonviolent resistance, he aimed to combat systemic racism and discrimination through peaceful protests and civil disobedience. King’s most notable contributions include leading the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the March on Washington, and delivering the iconic “I Have a Dream” speech. His efforts significantly advanced civil rights legislation, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, forever altering American society.