Which event is associated with the beginning of the modern Civil Rights Movement?

The Montgomery Bus Boycott is widely considered to be one of the pivotal events that marked the beginning of the modern Civil Rights Movement in the United States. The boycott was initiated in December 1955, following the arrest of Rosa Parks for refusing to give up her seat to a white man on a segregated bus in Montgomery, Alabama. This act of defiance galvanized the African American community and led to a year-long boycott of the city's bus system, effectively disrupting the status quo of racial segregation.

The boycott not only highlighted the systemic racism entrenched in public transportation but also demonstrated the power of coordinated nonviolent protest. It brought national attention to the Civil Rights Movement and showcased leaders like Martin Luther King Jr., who emerged as a prominent figure advocating for equality through peaceful means. The success of the boycott ultimately led to a Supreme Court ruling that deemed segregation on public buses unconstitutional, further solidifying its historical significance.

Other events mentioned, while crucial in the advancement of civil rights, occurred later or were catalyzed by the groundwork laid during the Montgomery Bus Boycott. The March on Washington, the Selma to Montgomery marches, and the Brown v. Board of Education decision were significant in their own right, but the bus boycott is generally recognized as the starter