The Civil Rights Movement sought to end racial discrimination and segregation in the United States, primarily during the 1950s and 1960s. This movement aimed to secure legal equality and protect the rights of African Americans, who faced widespread systemic discrimination, particularly in the South. Key figures such as Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and Malcolm X emerged, advocating for nonviolent protests, legal challenges, and community organizing. Landmark events such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the March on Washington, and the Selma to Montgomery marches were pivotal. The movement ultimately led to significant legal changes, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.