In November of 1982, at the height of the Cold War, Samantha Smith, a 10-year-old girl from Manchester, Maine, wrote to the Soviet leader Yuri Andropov and asked him if he was going to wage a nuclear war against the U.S.

When an unprecedented response from Andropov arrived, and Samantha received an invitation to visit the USSR, she and her family embarked on a journey that brought the two warring nations closer together.

We speak with author Lena Nelson who was born in the Soviet Union and has spent the past 15 years researching and documenting the story of Samantha Smith and creating an archive at https://www.samanthasmith.info/.

Lena reveals how Samantha Smith's journey in the summer of 1983 helped melt the hearts of the Soviets and thaw the ice of the Cold War. We talk about the interviews she conducted in both the US and Russia with key players in the events of those days and tell the story of this unprecedented moment in history.

0:00 Introduction and interview with author Lena Nelson about Samantha Smith

1:35 Sponsor: Support for Cold War Conversations

5:24 Samantha Smith's motivation to write to Yuri Andropov and her history of letter writing

14:54 Lena's impressions of American life from Samantha Smith's documentary

20:49 Samantha Smith's preparation for her trip to the Soviet Union

25:41 Samantha Smith's arrival in the Soviet Union and the initial reactions

33:54 Natasha's accidental trip to Artek and meeting Samantha Smith

43:25 The incident over the colour of hot dogs in the Artek cafeteria and Samantha's image as an ideal American representative

48:37 Samantha's post-trip experience and school life

57:04 Circumstances of Samantha's tragic death and Lina Nelson's memory of hearing the news in the Soviet Union

1:05:16 Lina's collaboration with Jane and the evolution of her project

1:07:19 Podcast conclusion, invitation to Facebook discussion group and closing remarks by Ian Sanders

Table of contents powered by PodcastAI✨

Lena’s book America's Youngest Ambassador: The Cold War Story of Samantha Smith's Lasting Message of Peace is available via this link https://uk.bookshop.org/a/1549/9781684750207

Cold War history is disappearing; however, a simple monthly donation will keep this podcast on the air. You’ll become part of our community and get a sought-after CWC coaster as a thank you and you’ll bask in the warm glow of knowing you are helping to preserve Cold War history.

Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/

If a monthly contribution is not your cup of tea, We also welcome one-off donations via the same link.

Episode extras including videos and photos https://coldwarconversations.com/episode293/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices