Martin Luther King Jr. was the influential figure associated with the civil rights movement in the 1960s. He advocated for nonviolent protest against racial segregation and discrimination, leading pivotal events such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the March on Washington, where he delivered his iconic "I Have a Dream" speech. King's efforts were instrumental in raising awareness about civil rights injustices, and he became a symbol of hope and perseverance. His leadership contributed to the passage of significant legislation, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which aimed to dismantle institutional racism in the United States.