10 Most Influential Protests in Modern History

Throughout history, protests have served as powerful catalysts for change, giving ordinary people the means to challenge injustice, oppression, and inequality. From small, local acts of defiance to massive, global demonstrations, these movements have reshaped societies, toppled regimes, and inspired generations. While some protests have erupted spontaneously, others were carefully organized, fueled by courage, conviction, and the belief that collective action can overcome even the most entrenched powers.

The stories of these protests remind us that social and political transformation rarely comes without struggle. Students, workers, women, and marginalized communities have repeatedly risked arrest, violence, and even death to demand basic human rights, equality, and freedom. Yet time and again, their persistence has proven that determined, unified voices can challenge authority, change laws, and shift public consciousness.

This list explores ten of the most influential protests in modern history, highlighting the courage, strategy, and impact of each. From nonviolent demonstrations that toppled authoritarian regimes to bold acts of civil disobedience that sparked global movements, these events reveal how people, when united by a shared vision, can alter the course of history. As you read, you’ll discover the profound ways ordinary citizens have shaped the world through extraordinary acts of protest.

Related: 10 Bizarre Protests You Might Have Missed

10 The Velvet Revolution (Czechoslovakia, 1989)

In late 1989, Czechoslovakia experienced a nonviolent wave of protests that dramatically changed the country’s political landscape. Known as the Velvet Revolution, the movement began in November after student activists were arrested during a peaceful demonstration in Prague. This initial spark ignited widespread outrage against the Communist regime, which had ruled since 1948.

What made this movement remarkable was the scale and restraint with which citizens organized. Massive demonstrations swept across major cities, with students, workers, artists, and intellectuals joining the cause. Protesters demanded free elections, the end of censorship, and the dismantling of single-party rule. Symbolic acts—such as the now-iconic jingling of keys—signaled both unity and a peaceful “unlocking” of freedom.

The Civic Forum, formed by dissidents including playwright Václav Havel, emerged as the movement’s central organizing force, coordinating negotiations with government authorities. Despite decades of repression, the revolution largely avoided violent clashes, and the commitment to peaceful resistance became one of its defining features.

Within weeks, the Communist leadership resigned. Free elections were scheduled for 1990, ending four decades of authoritarian rule. Havel later became the first non-Communist president in over forty years. The Velvet Revolution not only reshaped Czechoslovakia but also inspired similar democratic movements throughout Eastern Europe, proving that mass, peaceful protest could dismantle even the most entrenched regimes.^[1]

9 The Stonewall Riots (New York City, 1969)

The Stonewall Riots are widely considered the catalyst for the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement. On June 28, 1969, police raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in New York City’s Greenwich Village. Police harassment and discriminatory laws had pushed the LGBTQ+ community into decades of fear and secrecy, but this raid ignited a spontaneous wave of resistance.

Patrons fought back, joined by transgender individuals, drag queens, homeless queer youth, and neighborhood residents. The uprising lasted several days, with protesters clashing with police, forming barricades, and refusing to yield to intimidation. The shock and energy of Stonewall reverberated through the city, bringing long-suppressed anger and solidarity to the surface.

In the aftermath, activists formed organizations such as the Gay Liberation Front and the Gay Activists Alliance. One year later, the first Christopher Street Liberation Day march—now known as Pride—commemorated the anniversary of the uprising. These annual marches quickly spread worldwide.

While Stonewall did not immediately change laws, it dramatically shifted public consciousness. It transformed the LGBTQ+ struggle from an often-hidden fight into a visible, political movement rooted in collective resistance. Its legacy endures as a powerful symbol of defiance, dignity, and the transformative impact of marginalized voices demanding justice.^[2]

8 The Soweto Uprising (South Africa, 1976)

The Soweto Uprising was a pivotal moment in South Africa’s struggle against apartheid. On June 16, 1976, thousands of Black students marched to protest the government’s decree requiring Afrikaans—viewed by many as the “language of the oppressor”—to be used alongside English in schools. For students, this was more than a curriculum issue; it was a symbol of apartheid’s systemic attempt to control and limit their futures.

The march began peacefully but turned violent when police fired live ammunition at the students. Images of the chaos—especially the photograph of 13-year-old Hector Pieterson’s body being carried by a fellow student—sparked global outrage and brought international attention to apartheid’s brutality.

The uprising ignited waves of resistance across the country. Students, workers, and community members organized sustained protests, boycotts, and strikes. The government responded with severe repression, but the uprising irreversibly shifted momentum toward the anti-apartheid movement.

International condemnation intensified, leading to economic sanctions, cultural boycotts, and global pressure that weakened the apartheid regime over time. Today, June 16 is commemorated as Youth Day in South Africa, honoring the bravery of the students whose defiance helped pave the way for the end of apartheid in the early 1990s.^[3]

7 The Indian Salt March (India, 1930)

The Salt March, led by Mahatma Gandhi in 1930, stands as one of history’s most iconic acts of civil disobedience. At the time, the British colonial government imposed a monopoly on salt production, forcing Indians to buy heavily taxed salt—even though it was readily available in nature. Gandhi saw the tax as both unjust and symbolic of British oppression.

On March 12, 1930, Gandhi left Sabarmati Ashram with 78 followers on a 240-mile journey to Dandi. Over the next 24 days, thousands joined the march, transforming it into a national movement. When Gandhi reached the Arabian Sea on April 6 and lifted a handful of salt, he openly violated British law in an act that resonated across the country.

Millions followed his example by producing or purchasing untaxed salt, boycotting British goods, refusing to pay taxes, and engaging in other nonviolent acts of resistance. The Salt March attracted global attention, revealing the moral force of the Indian independence movement and earning worldwide sympathy.

Although the British government arrested thousands—including Gandhi—the movement continued to grow. The Salt March ultimately strengthened the push toward Indian independence and cemented Gandhi’s philosophy of satyagraha, inspiring future civil rights movements worldwide.^[4]

6 The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom (United States, 1963)

The March on Washington, held on August 28, 1963, was one of the largest political rallies in U.S. history and a defining moment in the civil rights movement. Over 250,000 people converged on the nation’s capital to demand civil and economic rights for African Americans. Organized by the “Big Six” civil rights leaders, the march aimed to pressure the federal government to end segregation and pass meaningful civil rights legislation.

What made the march remarkable was the disciplined, peaceful demeanor of the crowd. Participants carried signs, sang freedom songs, and listened to leaders speak about justice and equality. The event culminated in Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s historic “I Have a Dream” speech, which has become one of the most famous addresses in American history.

The march had an immediate impact on public opinion, highlighting the moral authority of the civil rights movement. Media coverage broadcast images of unity and determination, challenging racist stereotypes and galvanizing support for reform. Less than a year later, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was signed into law, outlawing segregation in public spaces and banning employment discrimination.

The March on Washington remains a powerful example of how peaceful protest can influence government policy and inspire generations to fight for justice.^[5]

5 The Women’s March (United States, 2017)

The Women’s March, held on January 21, 2017, became one of the largest single-day protests in U.S. history. Organized in response to concerns about threats to women’s rights, healthcare access, immigration protections, and racial equality, the march expanded rapidly from a Washington, D.C., demonstration into a global movement with events in over 600 U.S. cities and more than 80 countries.

The march was notable for its diversity and inclusivity. Organizers brought together seasoned feminist leaders, younger activists mobilized by social media, and people of all races, genders, ages, and backgrounds. The peaceful demonstration was marked by creative signs, chants, and speeches emphasizing unity and resistance.

Beyond its massive scale, the march sparked renewed activism. It energized voter registration drives, legislative advocacy, and grassroots organizing, particularly among young women and marginalized communities. It also pushed issues like sexual violence, healthcare rights, and immigrant protections into national conversation.

Today, the Women’s March is remembered as a turning point in modern civic engagement, illustrating how social media–driven mobilization and intersectional activism can rapidly generate sustained political pressure.^[6]

4 The People Power Revolution (Philippines, 1986)

The People Power Revolution, also known as the EDSA Revolution, was a defining moment in Philippine history that showcased the power of peaceful mass protest. By 1986, President Ferdinand Marcos had ruled for over two decades, imposing martial law, suppressing dissent, and consolidating power through widespread corruption. Tensions reached a breaking point after a fraudulent snap election in February 1986 against opposition leader Corazon Aquino.

In response, millions of Filipinos flooded the streets along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA). Civilians formed human chains, surrounded military camps, and provided food and flowers to soldiers as a sign of peaceful resistance. The moral leadership of religious figures such as Cardinal Jaime Sin also played a major role in rallying the public to nonviolent action.

The scale of the protests made violent suppression nearly impossible. After four days of sustained demonstrations, Marcos fled the country on February 25, 1986, and Corazon Aquino became president, restoring democratic governance.

The People Power Revolution inspired similar movements across the world. It reshaped Filipino society, encouraging civic participation, press freedom, and human rights activism. It endures as a global example of how unified, peaceful protest can dismantle even deeply entrenched authoritarian regimes.^[7]

3 The Tiananmen Square Protests (China, 1989)

The Tiananmen Square Protests were a watershed moment in modern Chinese history, representing a rare, large-scale challenge to the Chinese Communist Party. Beginning in April 1989, the movement started as a memorial to reformist leader Hu Yaobang but soon expanded into a broad call for democratic reform, transparency, and an end to political corruption.

Tens of thousands of students, intellectuals, and workers gathered in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square. They held demonstrations, hunger strikes, and public debates, drawing national and international attention. Iconic images—including the lone protester facing down a column of tanks—captured global sympathy and highlighted the courage of ordinary citizens.

The government initially hesitated but soon declared martial law. On June 4, 1989, troops and tanks moved into the square, resulting in a violent crackdown. The exact number of deaths remains unknown, with estimates ranging from hundreds to possibly thousands.

Despite the suppression, the protests left a lasting legacy. They exposed deep public frustration with corruption and inspired ongoing human rights advocacy both within China and around the world. Tiananmen remains a symbol of resistance, sacrifice, and the high cost of confronting authoritarian power.^[8]

2 The Civil Rights Sit-Ins (United States, 1960s)

The Civil Rights Sit-Ins were a transformative series of protests that reshaped the fight against segregation in the United States. The movement began on February 1, 1960, when four African American college students—Ezell Blair Jr., David Richmond, Franklin McCain, and Joseph McNeil—sat at a “whites-only” Woolworth’s lunch counter in Greensboro, North Carolina, and politely asked to be served. When denied, they refused to leave.

The simple act sparked a wave of sit-ins across the South. Thousands participated, facing harassment, arrests, and violence while maintaining strict nonviolent discipline. Sit-ins occurred in lunch counters, libraries, bus terminals, and other segregated public spaces. The national media widely covered the protests, exposing the injustice of segregation to Americans who had never seen it firsthand.

The movement achieved immediate victories as many businesses desegregated within months. It also helped lay the foundation for the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It contributed to the formation of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), which became a major force in the civil rights movement.

The sit-ins showed how everyday spaces could become powerful arenas for resistance. They remain a powerful example of disciplined, nonviolent protest creating real, lasting change.^[9]

1 The Fall of the Berlin Wall (Germany, 1989)

The fall of the Berlin Wall on November 9, 1989, stands as one of the most consequential moments of the 20th century. For nearly three decades, the wall had divided East and West Berlin, symbolizing the broader divide between the communist Eastern Bloc and the democratic West. East Germans endured restricted freedoms, state surveillance, and political repression under the ruling Socialist Unity Party.

By 1989, dissatisfaction had reached a breaking point. Peaceful protests erupted across East Germany, including the influential Monday Demonstrations in Leipzig. Citizens demanded freedom of movement, democratic reforms, and an end to the authoritarian regime. Their demonstrations were largely peaceful, with marchers holding candles, singing, and calling for change.

Government pressure intensified until, in a confusing and poorly delivered announcement, an East German official stated that travel restrictions would be lifted. Thousands flocked to border checkpoints. Overwhelmed guards ultimately opened the crossings, and jubilant crowds from both sides of the wall began tearing it down with hammers, chisels, and bare hands.

The fall of the Berlin Wall accelerated the collapse of communist governments across Eastern Europe, paved the way for German reunification, and signaled the symbolic end of the Cold War. It remains a universal emblem of human resilience and the extraordinary power of peaceful protest to reshape world history.^[10]