Augusta in Kennebec County, Maine — The American Northeast (New England)

Samantha Reed Smith

June 29, 1972 - August 25, 1985

— Maine's Young Ambassador of Goodwill —

Samantha Reed Smith Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., July 30, 2017

1. Samantha Reed Smith Monument

Inscription.
In 1982, ten year old Samantha Smith wrote a letter to Yuri Andropov, the leader of the Soviet Union asking, "Why do you want to go to war with the United States?" Mr. Andropov's reply to that letter, his invitation for Samantha to visit, and her subsequent trip with her parents to the Soviet Union, began a personal dialogue between the peoples of the Soviet Union and the United States that many believe contributed to the thaw in the dangerous Cold War of the late 20th Century.

Samantha's untimely death at age 13 in an airplane accident was mourned by adults and children world wide. Maine is proud of her native daughter and remember the message she taught us:

One child can play a powerful part in bringing peace to the world

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Peace • War, Cold • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1982.

Location. 44° 18.362′ N, 69° 46.928′ W. Marker is in Augusta, Maine, in Kennebec County. Monument is near the east end of the Maine Cultural Building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 230 State Street (US Hwy 201), Augusta ME 04333, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Car "America" / Le Char America (within shouting distance of this marker); Maine Mounted Light Artillery / Artillerie Légère à Cheval du Maine

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Lincoln's Request / L'Appel de Lincoln (within shouting distance of this marker); Civilian Conservation Corps (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); NAS Brunswick Tribute to State of Maine (about 300 feet away); Vietnam Veterans Pine Grove (about 300 feet away); Dedicated to You, A Free Citizen in a Free Land (about 600 feet away); Blaine Mansion (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Augusta.

Also see . . .
1. Samantha Smith: American Peace Activist and Actress. (Submitted on December 4, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Samantha Smith, America's Youngest Ambassador. (Submitted on December 4, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)

Samantha Reed Smith Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., July 30, 2017

2. Samantha Reed Smith Marker

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., July 30, 2017

3. Samantha Reed Smith Marker

Samantha Reed Smith Monument and Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., July 30, 2017

4. Samantha Reed Smith Monument and Markers

Looking east

Samantha Reed Smith Statue Detail image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., July 30, 2017

5. Samantha Reed Smith Statue Detail

Credits. This page was last revised on September 23, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 4, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 862 times since then and 95 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on December 4, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.