The Harlem Renaissance was a cultural, social, and artistic movement that took place in the 1920s and 1930s, primarily in the neighborhood of Harlem in New York City. It marked a period of great creativity among African American artists, writers, musicians, and thinkers, who sought to express their experiences and challenge racial stereotypes. Key figures of the Harlem Renaissance included writers like Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston, as well as musicians such as Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong. This movement played a significant role in shaping African American identity and laid the groundwork for future civil rights advancements.