The city of Norfolk will hold a series of events that will mark the end of Massive Resistance, Virginia's final effort to deny black students the right to attend public schools.

Norfolk's observance of the 50th anniversary of the end of Massive Resistance will start with a January 19 march led by the "Norfolk 17," the first black students to integrate the city's all-white schools. Also participating will be members of the Lost Class of 1959, thousands of white students who were barred from attending class when Governor Lindsay Almond shut down six of Norfolk's public schools.

On February 2, members of the Norfolk 17 will return to the schools they first entered 50 years earlier.