October 21 - Through Rain, Sleet, Snow and Anthrax

Labor History in 2:00 · Oct 21, 2026 · 1m

On this day in Labor History the year was 2001.

That was the day that Thomas Morris Jr. died from breathing in anthrax.

A week earlier he had been exposed to the deadly poison when an envelope containing the powdery substance was opened at the mail distribution center where he worked.

Thomas Morris was a member of American Postal Workers Union.

His union brother Joseph Curseen died two days later.

Both men worked at the U.S. Postal Service Brentwood Processing and Distribution Center in Washington D.C.

The poisoned letters were addressed to Senators Tom Daschle and Patrick Leahy.

More postal…