Contributed by Maine State Museum
Description
Dana Summers of the Orlando Sentinel wrote a note to Samantha Smith, 11, of Manchester, on the bottom of an editorial cartoon he drew about her trip to the Soviet Union in July 1983. His note reads, "To Samantha with Best Wishes (most kids weave baskets at Camp on their Summer Vacation!) -- Dana."
The text of the cartoon, which shows Smith talking at a press conference, reads, "I wanted Mr. Andropov to understand that nuclear proliferation is the most important issue ... at least that's what it says in Amy Carter's notebook that the White House gave me!"
President Jimmy Carter in 1980 had asked his then 13-year-old daughter Amy what the most important issues was and she replied that it was the control of nuclear arms.
Samantha had written a letter to Soviet leader Yuri Andropov asking him about his plans for war and advocated for peace. Andropov replied and assured her that he wanted peace and invited her to the Soviet Union.
During his 1976 presidential campaign, Jimmy Carter had turned to his 12-year-old daughter Amy to ask her what she thought of nuclear weapons. Amy was a strong advocate for disarmament.
About This Item
- Title: Summers cartoon on Samantha Smith, 1983
- Creator: Dana Summers
- Creation Date: 1983
- Subject Date: 1983
- Location: USA
- Media: Ink on paper
- Object Type: Text and Image
Cross Reference Searches
Standardized Subject Headings
- Editorial cartoons
- Cold War
- Cartoons (Commentary)
- Political cartoons
- Girls
- Children and peace
- Reporters and reporting
- Smith, Samantha, 1972-1985--Correspondence
- Political activity
- Andropov, Yuri Vladimirovich, 1914-1984--Correspondence
- Smith, Samantha, 1972-1985
- Peace
- International relations
- Letters
People
For more information about this item, contact:
Maine State MuseumMaine State Museum, 230 State Street, Augusta, ME 04330
207-287-2301
Website
This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. No Permission is required to use the low-resolution watermarked image for educational use, or as allowed by the applicable copyright. For all other uses, permission is required.
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