Samantha Smith, the American schoolgirl who had the courage to write a letter to General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union Yuri Andropov at the height of the Cold War, died in a plane crash on August 25, 1985. She was the first Goodwill Ambassador, and even managed to raise the Iron Curtain that, for so long, had separated Soviet citizens from the rest of the world.
Samantha Smith, the American schoolgirl who had the courage to write a letter to General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union Yuri Andropov at the height of the Cold War, died in a plane crash on August 25, 1985. She was the first Goodwill Ambassador, and even managed to raise the Iron Curtain that, for so long, had separated Soviet citizens from the rest of the world.
Everything started when Samantha saw a fall 1982 edition of Time magazine that had a portrait of Yuri Andropov. Its lead story said that the newly appointed head of the U.S.S.R. was highly dangerous due to the extreme hostility he felt towards the United States and that he was about to start a nuclear war against it.
Photo: Samantha Smith standing in front of Moscow’s State Central Puppet Theater.
Photo: Samantha Smith standing in front of Moscow’s State Central Puppet Theater.
Samantha wrote a letter to the Soviet leader, directly asking him the question which was worrying the international community: “I have been worrying about Russia and the United States getting into a nuclear war. Are you going to vote to have a war or not?”
Photo: Samantha Smith in St. Petersburg.
Photo: Samantha Smith in St. Petersburg.
It took her half a year to get a response from Yuri Andropov: “…we in the Soviet Union are trying to do everything so that there will not be war on Earth. This is what every Soviet man wants… I invite you, if your parents will let you, to come to our country, the best time being this summer. You will find out about our country, meet with your contemporaries, visit an international children’s camp – ‘Artek’ – on the sea. And see for yourself: in the Soviet Union, everyone is for peace and friendship among people.”
Photo: Samantha Smith at the Artek children’s camp.
Photo: Samantha Smith at the Artek children’s camp.
The great story of this young American girl immediately sparked a host of rumors. For instance, many people believed that the KGB and CIA colluded in orchestrating her letter, which raised one of the most important issues of the time. Nevertheless, Samantha visited Moscow with her parents on June 7, 1983.
Photo: Samantha Smith on Red Square.
Photo: Samantha Smith on Red Square.
During her two-week visit, Samantha managed to attract the attention of not only the local mass media but many Soviet residents as well. The Vremya program featured daily broadcasts of stories about Samantha’s Soviet holiday, serving as a key guide to real American life.
Photo: Samantha Smith with her parents on Sobornaya Square in the Kremlin, Moscow.
Photo: Samantha Smith with her parents on Sobornaya Square in the Kremlin, Moscow.
Samantha managed to visit Leningrad (St. Petersburg), have a telephone conversation with Yuri Andropov and meet female cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova. The expression ‘children’s diplomacy’ appeared thanks to Samantha.
Before leaving for home on July 22, 1983, Samantha said “Budem zhit!” (Let’s live), words which many people remember even today.
Photo: Samantha Smith at the House of Friendship with Peoples of Foreign Countries in Moscow.
Photo: Samantha Smith at the House of Friendship with Peoples of Foreign Countries in Moscow.
Unfortunately, her wish never came true. On August 25, 1985, Samantha and her father were returning from England, where they had been on the Robert Wagner show, popular in Britain at that time.
Jane Smith, Samantha’s mother, was waiting for them in Augusta Airport. Suddenly a man in uniform came over to her and told her that the plane had crashed leaving no survivors. Samantha was 13 years old.
Photo: Samantha at Moscow’s State Central Puppet Theater.
Jane Smith, Samantha’s mother, was waiting for them in Augusta Airport. Suddenly a man in uniform came over to her and told her that the plane had crashed leaving no survivors. Samantha was 13 years old.
Photo: Samantha at Moscow’s State Central Puppet Theater.
