Martin Luther King Jr. was the famous leader of the civil rights movement in the United States. He emerged as a prominent figure in the 1950s and 1960s, advocating for racial equality through nonviolent protest and civil disobedience. King's leadership in events such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the March on Washington, and the Selma to Montgomery marches significantly advanced civil rights legislation, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. His famous "I Have a Dream" speech articulated the aspirations of the movement and continues to inspire advocacy for justice and equality.