Martin Luther King Jr. is the historical figure most prominently known for leading the civil rights movement in 1960s America. Emerging as a prominent leader, King advocated for nonviolent protests against racial segregation and discrimination, playing a crucial role in significant events like the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the March on Washington, where he delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech. King's philosophy of nonviolent resistance and his ability to galvanize public sentiment helped draw national attention to the injustices faced by African Americans, ultimately contributing to landmark legislative changes, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.