“Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968) was a Baptist minister and social activist who played a key role in the American civil rights movement from mid-1950s until his assassination in 1968” (“Martin Luther King Jr.”). For many years people have celebrated a day known as “Martin Luther King Day” in honor of a man who stood up for his beliefs and defended his race (“Martin Luther King Jr.”). Many observe the third Monday in January as a normal day, while others observe it as a day to remember a man who changed America. But how did Martin Luther King contribute to the civil rights movement and what was the result of his actions? Among the prominent civil rights leaders of his time, Martin Luther King (MLK) was the most influential. Back then, blacks weren't allowed to vote, and neither were women, and it became a fight for equality among all African American men and women. women. As a result of this unjust law, courageous people, like Martin Luther King Jr., became civil rights leaders who would change the view of racism across America. Rosa Parks, Susan B. Anthony, and Malcolm X have all had an impact on how racism has changed over time. Unlike any other civil rights leaders, these four were, to this day, remembered for their efforts in transforming this prejudiced society into a more peaceful and free society where all can have equal rights, regardless of color or from sex. But which civil rights leader did the most and which deserves to be known more than anyone else? In 1955, an African-American woman named Rosa Parks boarded a city bus and refused to move when “…a white man got on the same bus and I needed a place to sit” (“Rosa Parks Bus”). Unfortunately, for Rosa Parks, she was arrested for not f...... middle of paper ......t leader of 1900 ("Martin Luther King Jr."). Works Cited"Biography". The official Malcolm The Estate of Malcolm History.com. A&E Television Networks, 1991. Web. May 10, 2014. “Martin Luther King Jr.-Biographical.” Nobelprize.org. Nobel Media AB 2013.Web.12 May 2014."Martin Luther King Jr." History.com. A&E Television Networks, 2009. Web. May 11, 2014. "Rosa Parks Biography." -- Success Academy. Np, March-April. 2014. Web. May 12, 2014."Rosa Parks Bus - The Story Behind the Bus." Rosa Parks Bus - The story behind the bus. Henry Ford, 2002. Web. May 9, 2014. “Susan Brownell Anthony.” Susan Brownell Anthony. Western New York Suffragettes, 2000.Web. May 12, 2014.United States. National Park Service. "Susan B. Anthony." National Park Service. Department of the Interior, April 25, 2014. Web. May 20 2014.