#22: Martin Luther King Jr. (January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968)
Martin Luther King Jr. became the leading voice of the American Civil Rights Movement after setting up the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955. Although many people admire him today, public opinion during the 1960s was far more divided. He faced repeated arrests, constant criticism from segregationists, and extensive FBI surveillance under Director J. Edgar Hoover, who tried to damage King’s reputation. His peaceful campaigns led to landmark legislation, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, changing the course of American history.
