Anne and Samantha Day

Anne and Samantha Day is observed twice a year on the solstices, with the winter observance falling on December 21. This poignant holiday honors the legacies of Anne Frank and Samantha Smith, two young girls from different eras who became powerful symbols of peace and the potential of youth.

History of Anne and Samantha Day

The holiday was established by supporters who campaigned for the United States Postal Service to issue commemorative stamps featuring both girls. While the movement began with a focus on philately (stamp collecting), it quickly grew into a broader observance of their impact on history. The date was chosen to coincide with the solstice, a turning point in the year that symbolizes the transition from darkness to light, mirroring the hope these young women represented in dark times.

Anne Frank, born in 1929, was a Jewish teenager who went into hiding during the Holocaust. Her diary, written while sequestered in a secret annex in Amsterdam, offered a harrowing yet deeply human perspective on World War II. She died in the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in 1945, but her words survived to educate millions. Decades later, Samantha Smith, born in 1972, became known as “America’s Youngest Ambassador.” In 1982, at age ten, she wrote a letter to Soviet leader Yuri Andropov asking if he planned to start a nuclear war. Her simple question led to a famous invitation to visit the Soviet Union, thawing Cold War tensions before her tragic death in a plane crash at age thirteen.

Why is Anne and Samantha Day important?

This day serves as a reminder that age does not determine one’s ability to influence the world. Both Anne and Samantha used the written word—a diary and a letter—to cut through the noise of global conflict and touch the hearts of adults who had lost their way. They represent the clarity of innocence and the universal desire for a future free from fear. Honoring them on the same day bridges the gap between the horrors of World War II and the anxieties of the Cold War, showing that the plea for peace is timeless.

Furthermore, the holiday emphasizes the tragedy of lost potential. Both girls died before they could fully realize their dreams, yet they left behind legacies that continue to inspire new generations of activists and writers. It challenges the world to protect its children and to listen to their voices, as they often see truths that adults, blinded by politics and prejudice, choose to ignore.

• It demonstrates the power of the written word to effect change.
• The day connects two major historical eras through the eyes of children.
• It serves as a call for peace and diplomatic understanding.
• The observance highlights the importance of listening to youth.
• It honors the memory of those whose lives were cut short by tragedy.

How to Celebrate Anne and Samantha Day

A fitting way to celebrate is to engage in the act of writing. You might start a personal diary, following Anne Frank’s example of documenting your thoughts and the world around you. Alternatively, you could write a letter to a world leader or a local representative about an issue you care deeply about, channeling Samantha Smith’s direct and courageous approach to advocacy.

Since the holiday has roots in a campaign for postage stamps, another way to observe it is by exploring the hobby of philately or simply mailing a physical letter to a friend. You can also light a candle on the evening of the solstice—the longest night of the year—to symbolize the enduring light of their memories. Many people also choose to read The Diary of a Young Girl or Samantha Smith’s book Journey to the Soviet Union to connect directly with their voices.

• Write a letter to a leader or a friend.
• Begin a journal or diary entry.
• Read a book or watch a documentary about Anne or Samantha.
• Light a candle to honor their memory on the solstice.
• Purchase or design a commemorative postage stamp.

Anne and Samantha Day Dates Table