• June 29, 1972: Born in Houlton, Maine

• November 1982: The fifth-grader writes to Soviet leader Yuri Andropov

• April 26, 1983: Andropov writes back, invites Smith to USSR, launching her into the international spotlight as a peace activist. Appears on Tonight Show and many others.

• July 7: Smith, with parents, leaves for trip to USSR; lands in Moscow

• July 11: Smith attends youth camp in Yalta.

• July 13: Smith visits Leningrad.

• July 19: She is unable to meet with Andropov, who is ill; speaks to him by phone

• 1983: She and mother, Jane, fly to Japan to meet with Japan’s Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone. Attended the International Children’s Symposium in Kobe

• July 1984: Publishes book “Journey to the Soviet Union” with father, Arthur

• 1984: Hosts Disney special about politics and her role as peace activist

• 1984: Auditions for and is cast as co-star with Robert Wagner on ABC-TV series called “Lime Street”

• Aug. 25, 1985: Dies in Auburn-Lewiston Airport plane crash at age 13 with father and six others aboard Bar Harbor Airlines on her way home from London filming TV segment

• Aug. 28, 1985: Gorbachev telegrams condolences

• Aug. 29, 1985: More than 1,000 people turn out for memorial service in Augusta

• Oct. 1985: Samantha Smith Foundation founded by her mother

• Dec. 22, 1986: Statue of Smith unveiled in Augusta

• May 30 1987: First Samantha Smith Day proclaimed by Gov. John McKernan. The day is established as the first Monday in June

Copy the Story Link