Which event is considered the official start of the U.S. Civil Rights Movement?

The Brown v. Board of Education decision is widely considered the official start of the U.S. Civil Rights Movement due to its significant impact on the legal and social landscape of the United States. This landmark Supreme Court case was decided in 1954 and ruled that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional, effectively overturning the earlier precedent set by Plessy v. Ferguson, which had established the "separate but equal" doctrine.

The importance of this decision lies not only in its immediate effects on education but also in its broader implications for civil rights. It galvanized activists and set the stage for a series of organized movements and protests aimed at ending racial discrimination and segregation throughout American society. The ruling provided a legal foundation for subsequent civil rights actions, highlighting the need for systemic change and motivating citizens to challenge unjust laws and practices.

Other events, while pivotal in their own right, occurred after this decision and were influenced by the momentum it generated. The Montgomery Bus Boycott, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the March on Washington all represent critical moments in the struggle for civil rights, but they were largely a response to the issues highlighted by the Brown decision and the ongoing fight for equality it inspired.