The 1960s civil rights movement was a pivotal time in American history when people fought for equal rights for African Americans. Activists aimed to end racial segregation and discrimination, advocating for voting rights, fair housing, and equal education. Key events included the March on Washington in 1963, where Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech, and the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Grassroots organizations, such as the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), played crucial roles in mobilizing protests and sit-ins. The movement faced significant opposition, but it ultimately led to important legal changes, including the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which aimed to eliminate barriers to voting for African Americans.