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5th Graders Hear Senior Couple's Story of Racial Injustice and Take Action 60 Years Later

5th Graders Hear Senior Couple's Story of Racial Injustice and Take Action 60 Years Later
These fifth graders were moved to tears by the Caldwells' story – which is why they then banded together to right the wrongs from 60 years ago.

Reverend Gilbert and Grace Caldwell were overjoyed about tying the knot 60 years ago. They were then immediately heartbroken, however, by the honeymoon that followed.

Back in 1957, the Caldwells got married at a church in North Carolina before driving eight hours to the Mount Airy Resort in Poconos, Pennsylvania for their honeymoon.

Despite having a reservation, the happy couple was forced to drive eight hours back home after they were turned away from the hotel for being black.

The incident spurred the Caldwells to join the civil rights movement where they worked side-by-side with Dr. Martin Luther King Junior. In the decades that followed, Grace and Gilbert continued giving speeches and lectures to schools and organizations about their experience with racial injustice.

But when they told the story of their honeymoon to the New Jersey fifth graders at Bear Tavern Elementary back in January 2018, the kids became especially saddened by the tale.

Months after seeing the Caldwells speak at the school, all of the fifth graders banded together and wrote letters to the Mount Airy Hotel asking for an all-expenses-paid second honeymoon—and their wish was granted.

"It makes me feel really good inside because we know that even though we're just kids, we made an impact on the world," one student told CBS News.

(WATCH the heartwarming video below) – Note: International viewers can watch the full video on the CBS News website.

Click To Share The Compassionate Story With Your Friends – Photo by CBS News

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