Police Investigate Threatening Letter, Substance at Lincoln Memorial

WASHINGTON – Authorities briefly closed the Lincoln Memorial on Monday after finding suspicious bottles in a restroom and a note reading "Do you know what anthrax is?" and "Do you know what a bomb is?"

Authorities found a bottle appearing to contain a liquid in a basement ladies' rest room, along with the note.

None of the objects was found to be a threat, said Wayne Benson, a batallion chief with the District of Columbia fire department.

The memorial was reopened less than three hours later, shortly after 3 p.m.

No injuries were reported.

Firefighters, U.S. Park Police and the FBI investigated after authorities found a Gatorade bottle and a travelers' coffee mug in the rest room, Benson said. Several pieces of paper inside a plastic case also were found.

During the closure, hazardous materials crews in protective suits were seen working at the memorial.