Martin Luther King Jr. is the prominent figure known for leading the American Civil Rights Movement. His philosophy of nonviolent protest and powerful oratory championed the cause of racial equality in the United States during the 1960s. King's leadership in pivotal events, such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the March on Washington, galvanized public support for civil rights legislation. His iconic "I Have a Dream" speech underscored his vision for a united society, making him a symbol of hope and change in the struggle for justice and equality.