The folders and case files listed on these topic guides may still have withdrawn material due to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) restrictions. Most frequently withdrawn material includes national security classified material, personal privacy issues, protection of the President, etc.

To see a list of material, please click on the 'Select' Tab

Description

Historical Note

Samantha Reed Smith, (06/29/1972-08/25/1985) was an American schoolgirl, from Manchester, Maine who became famous during the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union. In 1982, at age ten, Smith wrote a letter to the newly appointed General Secretary of the Communist Party, Yuri Andropov, and received a personal reply with a personal invitation to visit the Soviet Union, which she accepted.

Smith attracted extensive media attention in both countries as a “Goodwill Ambassador” becoming known as “America’s Youngest Ambassador” and subsequently participating in other peacemaking activities. With the assistance of her father Arthur (an academic), she wrote a book about her visit to the Soviet Union, Journey to the Soviet Union. She was killed at the age

Last Updated: 04/14/2021 08:39PM

Filter by Status

Filter by Status

Contact an Archivist

Have a research question? Contact an archivist about this collection or about research at the Reagan Library.

Contact Us

Archival Resources

Here are quick links to the most used resources at the Reagan Library. 

White House Staff & Office Files

White House Office of Records Management (WHORM) Subject Files

WHORM Alphabetical Files

Topic Guides

Citation Guide

Back to Top