- First came to national attention in 1983 when, as a 10-year-old, she wrote to Soviet Premier Yuri Andropov, "Why do you want to conquer the whole world, or at least our country?" The premier was touched by her genuineness and replied that he had no such intention. He then invited Smith and her family to the USSR for a special tour. The bright and articulate schoolgirl became famous overnight.
- After her death, the Soviet government named a diamond, a rose and a mountain in her honor. In her home state of Maine, a grade school was named after her and a statue, showing her releasing a dove while a bear cub (representing both Maine and Russia) rests at her feet, was placed before the Maine State House in Augusta.
- After her death, the Soviet Union issued a stamp in her honor.
- Died in a plane crash with her father during a break in filming of the series "Lime Street."
- After her death, Samantha was honored with the first prize of the Children's Peace Award.
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