The famous leader of the American Civil Rights Movement was Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. His leadership during the 1950s and 1960s was marked by his advocacy for nonviolent protest against racial segregation and injustice in the United States. King's powerful speeches, particularly his "I Have a Dream" address delivered during the 1963 March on Washington, inspired millions and called for equality and civil rights for African Americans. He played a pivotal role in major campaigns such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the Selma to Montgomery marches, making profound contributions to the progress of civil rights in America.