The Civil Rights Movement was a pivotal period in American history during the 1950s and 1960s, aimed at ending racial segregation and discrimination against African Americans. Central figures like Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks led efforts for social justice, advocating for equality through peaceful protests, legal challenges, and grassroots campaigns. Landmark events, such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the March on Washington, galvanized national and global attention, prompting legislative changes like the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The movement was crucial in reshaping American society, promoting social justice, and inspiring subsequent movements for equality and civil rights.