The major event in the 1960s that greatly influenced civil rights legislation in the U.S. was the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963. This iconic demonstration, where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech, brought significant national attention to the struggle for civil rights. The march highlighted issues such as unemployment, segregation, and economic justice. Its impact galvanized public support for civil rights, contributing to the passage of key legislation, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.