Samantha Smith

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Samantha Smith
Smith visiting the Artek pioneer camp in July 1983
Born
Samantha Reed Smith

(1972-06-29)June 29, 1972
DiedAugust 25, 1985(1985-08-25) (aged 13)
Cause of deathAirplane crash
Resting placeAshes buried at Estabrook Cemetery, Amity, Maine, U.S.
Other namesAmerica's Youngest Ambassador, America's Littlest Diplomat, America's Sweetheart[1] (U.S.), The Goodwill Ambassador (USSR)
Occupation(s)Peace activist, child actress
Years active1982–1985

Samantha Reed Smith (June 29, 1972 – August 25, 1985) was an American schoolgirl, peace activist, and child actress. She became famous during the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union.

In 1982, Smith wrote a letter to Soviet Leader Yuri Andropov, and received a personal reply with a personal invitation to visit the Soviet Union, which she accepted.

Smith became a "Goodwill Ambassador" between the U.S. and the Soviet Union, becoming America's Youngest Ambassador.[2]

Smith died on August 25, 1985 in the Bar Harbor Airlines Flight 1808 plane crash near Auburn, Maine at the age of 13.[3]

References[change | change source]

  1. Evening Magazine; WBZ-TV, Boston, 1985
  2. Saint-André, Yvette Irène. "I Remember Samantha Smith: Goodwill Ambassador". U.S. Embassy in Moscow. Archived from the original on February 19, 2008. Retrieved 2008-02-27.
  3. "Pilot Blamed in Samantha Death". The Los Angeles Times. September 30, 1986. Archived from the original on June 3, 2016. Retrieved April 12, 2018.