Which event is often referred to as the start of the civil rights movement in the United States?

The Montgomery Bus Boycott is widely recognized as a pivotal moment in the civil rights movement, marking its beginning in a significant way. This event took place in 1955 when Rosa Parks, an African American woman, was arrested for refusing to give up her seat to a white man on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama. Her act of defiance sparked a citywide boycott of the bus system led by civil rights activists, most notably Martin Luther King Jr.

The boycott lasted for over a year and highlighted racial segregation and discrimination within public transportation. It demonstrated the power of organized, nonviolent resistance and mobilized the African American community, garnering national attention and support for the civil rights cause. This event set the stage for subsequent actions and developments in the civil rights movement throughout the 1960s and beyond.

While the other choices listed are significant events in the civil rights movement, they occurred later and built upon the foundation established by the Montgomery Bus Boycott. The decision in Brown v. Board was crucial in the legal fight against segregation, and the Selma to Montgomery marches were vital moments that amplified the push for voting rights. The assassination of Dr. King was a tragic event that underscored the struggle but did not initiate the movement itself