Martin Luther King Jr. is a notable civil rights leader who inspired countless individuals with his vision for equality and justice. Advocating for nonviolent resistance and civil disobedience in the face of racial discrimination, he became a central figure in the American civil rights movement. Through powerful speeches, including the famous "I Have a Dream," King galvanized public sentiment towards change and equality, profoundly impacting legislation such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.