What event marked the beginning of the Civil Rights Movement in the United States?

The Montgomery Bus Boycott is widely recognized as a pivotal event that marked the beginning of the Civil Rights Movement in the United States. This boycott began in December 1955 when Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to give up her seat to a white man on a city bus in Montgomery, Alabama. In response to her arrest, the African American community organized a boycott of the city's buses, which lasted for over a year and demonstrated the power of collective action and nonviolent protest.

The boycott drew national attention to the injustices of segregation and set the stage for subsequent civil rights activism. It helped to elevate leaders like Martin Luther King Jr., who emerged as a prominent figure advocating for equality and justice. The success of the boycott also laid the groundwork for future civil rights initiatives, highlighting the effectiveness of organized nonviolent resistance against racial discrimination.

While other events listed, such as the March on Washington and the Brown v. Board of Education decision, were significant milestones within the Civil Rights Movement, the Montgomery Bus Boycott is often viewed as the catalyst that ignited a broader movement seeking racial equality.