Which event is often credited with igniting the Civil Rights Movement?

The Montgomery Bus Boycott is often credited with igniting the Civil Rights Movement due to its significant impact and the way it brought national attention to the struggle for racial equality. This event began in December 1955, when Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to give up her bus seat to a white passenger. This act of defiance served as a catalyst for the African American community in Montgomery, leading to a year-long boycott of the city's buses.

The boycott demonstrated the power of economic pressure and nonviolent protest, as participants organized carpools, walked, or found other means of transportation to avoid using the segregated bus system. The success of the boycott, which ultimately led to a Supreme Court ruling that deemed bus segregation unconstitutional, highlighted the effectiveness of collective action and inspired further activism across the nation.

The event also helped elevate leaders like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to national prominence and laid the groundwork for subsequent civil rights initiatives, making it a foundational moment in the wider Civil Rights Movement.