Martin Luther King Jr. was a prominent civil rights leader known for advocating nonviolent methods to achieve racial equality in the United States during the 1950s and 1960s. He played a pivotal role in major civil rights events, such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the March on Washington, where he delivered his iconic "I Have a Dream" speech. King’s philosophy of nonviolent resistance was deeply influenced by Mahatma Gandhi. His efforts contributed significantly to the advancement of civil rights legislation, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, transforming American society and promoting social justice.