page_title: Timeline of the George W. Bush presidency (2001)
section_title: October
hierarchical_section_title: Timeline of the George W. Bush presidency (2001) / October
caption_attribution_description: English: Washington, DC, October 1, 2001 -- President Bush addresses FEMA employees and outlines the path that the United States will follow in light of the September 11 terrorist attacks. Photo by Greg Schaler/ FEMA News Photo
context_page_description: The following is a timeline of the Presidency of George W. Bush from his inauguration as president of the United States on January 20, 2001, to December 31, 2001.
context_section_description: October 2 – President Bush meets with lawmakers to discuss a stimulating of the economy, the White House and Congress agreeing to an $18.4 billion boost in military spending and $4 billion increase in funding for education than originally requested by the White House.
  October 3 – A proposal compromising making airport screeners federal employees is offered by the Bush administration. Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta meets with both Democratic and Republican senators.
  October 4 – President Bush announces an emergency unemployment package while appearing at the Labor Department.
  October 7 – Speaking from the White House Treaty Room, President Bush announces the commencement of military action in Afghanistan (code-named Operation Enduring Freedom) in response to the September 11 attacks.
  October 9 – President Bush sends Congress a formal notification on his choice to deploy troops and forces to Afghanistan for combat operations.
  October 11 – President Bush holds a presidential news conference . He had this message for the Taliban: "If you cough him up and his people today that we'll reconsider what we're doing to your country. You still have a second chance. Just bring him in, and bring his leaders and lieutenants and other thugs and criminals with him." and  "Our focus is on Afghanistan, and the terrorist network hiding in Afghanistan, right now.  But, as well, we're looking for al Qaeda cells around the world.  If we find an al Qaeda cell operating, we will urge the host country to bring them to justice. And we're having some progress, we're making progress". and was also asked about Iraq where he stated "There's no question that the leader of Iraq is an evil man.  After all, he gassed his own people.  We know he's been developing weapons of mass destruction.  And I think it's in his advantage to allow inspectors back in his country to make sure that he's conforming to the agreement he made, after he was soundly trounced in the Gulf War. And so we're watching him very carefully".
  October 12 – President Bush admits terrorist attacks can occur to the U.S., but that the country will not be taken down by them.
  October 13 – President Bush says the U.S. and Britain's airstrikes in Afghanistan accomplished "goals of the first phase of the campaign" during his radio address.
  October 14 – The Department of Health and Human Services says the president will give a recommendation to Congress for them to allocate $1.5 billion to help the department.
  October 14 – The White House rejects a conditional Taliban government offer to discuss giving Osama bin Laden to a third country for trial if the U.S. provides evidence of bin Laden's involvement in the September 11 attacks.
  October 15 – President Bush warns Americans to lookout for suspicious letters and packages amid growing concerns about anthrax exposure, after Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle's office receives a letter tainted with anthrax spores. Persons in Florida and New York have already tested positive for the frequently fatal bacteria.
  October 18–21 – President Bush makes the fifth international trip of his presidency, travelling to Shanghai, China, where he attends the 13th APEC summit meetings.
  October 23 – President Bush asserts that he will be fine in returning to the White House after anthrax is found at a White House mail screening offsite mail facility.
  October 25 – Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld announces the US is ceasing tests on a ballistic missile defense system while the administration and Russia undergo further conversing in relation to the 29-year missile pact.
  October 26 – President Bush signs the USA Patriot Act into law.
  October 30 – With the crowd at New York City's Yankee Stadium chanting "U-S-A, U-S-A", President Bush throws out the ceremonial first pitch to open game three of the 2001 World Series between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the New York Yankees.
caption: President Bush outlines the path of the U.S. in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks while talking to FEMA employees, October 1, 2001
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