What was Martin Luther King, Jr. primarily known for?

Martin Luther King, Jr. is primarily known for his pivotal role in the civil rights movement in the United States during the 1950s and 1960s. He championed nonviolent protest and civil disobedience as effective means for achieving racial equality and justice. His leadership helped to dismantle institutionalized racial segregation and discrimination against African Americans, particularly in the southern states.

King's influence extended through significant events such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the March on Washington where he delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech, and his involvement in various civil rights campaigns that aimed to secure voting rights and equal treatment under the law. His dedication to peaceful activism and his ability to mobilize large groups of people around the cause of civil rights were instrumental in bringing about legislative changes, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

The other options pertain to important social issues, but they do not capture the essence of King’s legacy, which is firmly rooted in the fight against racial injustice and for civil rights for African Americans.