2001 anthrax attacks , also known as Amerithrax from its FBI case name , occurred within the United States over the course of several weeks beginning on September 18 , 2001 , one week after the September 11 attacks . Letters were mailed containing anthrax spores to several news media offices and to Democratic Senators Tom Daschle and Patrick Leahy , killing 5 people and infecting 17 others . A copycat hoax letter containing harmless white powder was opened by reporter Judith Miller in '' The New York Times '' newsroom . According to the FBI , the ensuing investigation became " one of the largest and most complex in the history of law enforcement "
September 11 attacks
September 11 attacks
2001 anthrax attacks