The prominent leader of the American Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s was Martin Luther King Jr. He advocated for nonviolent resistance and civil disobedience to combat racial segregation and discrimination against African Americans. King emerged as a key figure during pivotal events such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the 1963 March on Washington, where he delivered his iconic "I Have a Dream" speech. His ability to galvanize support and articulate the movement's goals made him a national figure and instrumental in achieving significant legislative changes, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.