The key event in 1963 that galvanized support for the civil rights movement was the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, held on August 28, 1963. This monumental gathering attracted over 250,000 participants and became a pivotal moment in the struggle for civil rights in the United States. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his iconic "I Have a Dream" speech during the march, articulating the vision of a racially integrated and harmonious America. The event brought national attention to the civil rights movement and highlighted issues of racial injustice, economic inequality, and the need for legislative reforms, significantly influencing public opinion and policy.