American Civil Rights Movement: In Montgomery, Alabama, seamstress Rosa Parks refuses to give up her bus seat to a white man and is arrested for violating the city’s racial segregation laws, an incident which leads to that city’s bus boycott.

Rosa Parks, often referred to as the “Mother of the Civil Rights Movement,” was a pivotal figure in the fight against racial segregation in the United States. Born on February 4, 1913, in Tuskegee, Alabama, Parks gained national recognition on December 1, 1955, when she refused to relinquish her seat to a white passenger on a segregated bus in Montgomery, Alabama. Her quiet act of defiance became a powerful symbol of resistance, sparking the Montgomery Bus Boycott—a year-long protest that successfully challenged racial segregation in public transportation. Parks’ courage inspired widespread activism and collaboration among civil rights leaders, including Martin Luther King Jr., solidifying her role as a key figure in the movement. Despite facing arrest, threats, and economic hardship, Parks remained steadfast in her commitment to justice, continuing her advocacy for equality throughout her life. Her legacy endures as a testament to the power of individual action in catalyzing societal change.