The influential civil rights leader during the 1960s in the U.S. was Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. A strong advocate for nonviolent protest, King played a crucial role in the civil rights movement, striving to end segregation and discrimination against African Americans. His leadership in pivotal events such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the March on Washington, where he delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech, emphasized the need for equality and justice. King's vision and efforts significantly advanced civil rights legislation and inspired future generations in the struggle for social justice.