Which event is often considered the catalyst for the modern Civil Rights Movement in the United States?

Brown v. Board of Education is regarded as a pivotal event that sparked the modern Civil Rights Movement due to its landmark Supreme Court ruling in 1954 that declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional. This decision overturned the previous precedent set by Plessy v. Ferguson in 1896, which sanctioned the "separate but equal" doctrine. By stating that "separate educational facilities are inherently unequal," the Court provided a legal foundation for challenging segregation and discrimination, thus energizing activists and movements across the nation to fight for civil rights.

The ruling had a profound impact beyond education, inspiring broader civil rights activism and leading to significant events, including the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the formation of organizations like the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). This shift in legal and social dynamics helped galvanize a generation of activists dedicated to achieving racial equality, making it a crucial turning point in the trajectory of the Civil Rights Movement.