The influential leader of the civil rights movement in the U.S. during the 1960s was Martin Luther King Jr.. As a Baptist minister and activist, he advocated for nonviolent resistance to end racial segregation and discrimination. His leadership was pivotal in several key events, including the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the March on Washington, where he delivered his iconic "I Have a Dream" speech. King's dedication to social justice, equality, and love shaped the trajectory of the civil rights movement and inspired other movements worldwide. His legacy continues to resonate in contemporary struggles for human rights.