Martin Luther King, Jr. first rose to prominence in the U.S. during which event?

Martin Luther King, Jr. first rose to prominence during the Montgomery bus boycott. This event took place from December 5, 1955, to December 20, 1956, as a response to the arrest of Rosa Parks, who refused to give up her bus seat to a white passenger. King's leadership during the boycott was pivotal; he served as the president of the Montgomery Improvement Association, which coordinated the boycott and organized the African American community to take a stand against racial segregation in public transportation.

King's strategies of nonviolent protest and civil disobedience are rooted in this event, showcasing his ability to mobilize support and inspire community action. The success of the boycott, which lasted over a year and resulted in a Supreme Court ruling that declared segregation on public buses unconstitutional, solidified his reputation as a prominent leader in the civil rights movement. This foundation would lead to his involvement in subsequent significant events such as the March on Washington and the Selma to Montgomery marches, but the Montgomery bus boycott marked the initial emergence of his national influence and leadership.