Martin Luther king jr.
Martin Luther King Jr. was considered the most influential person in civil rights. He began the civil rights movement for the African Americans because in that time, segregation arose between the African Americans and the white-colored people. Instead of seeking justice through violent means, he decided to do peaceful protests and write speeches about freedom. Perhaps his most famous speech entitled "I Have a Dream" influenced the people to end this period of separation. As a result of his actions, all people were granted equal rights. In 1964, due to his actions, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. He was assassinated in 1968 by James Earl Ray. This sparked an outburst among all the people because he was now recognized for his outstanding accomplishments. Therefore, President Ronald Reagan designated the third Monday of January as a holiday in honor of Martin Luther King Jr.