How many government shutdowns have there been?

As of November 2014, 18 government shutdowns have occurred in the history of the United States. The first shutdown lasted 10 days in the fall of 1976, and the most recent lasted 16 days in the fall of 2013.

When the government shut down on Oct. 1, 2013, it was the first time since the 1995 to 1996 shutdown of the Clinton administration, which holds the record as the longest U.S. government shutdown in history. The 1995 to 1996 shutdown began on Dec. 5, 1995 and lasted for 21 days, ending on Jan. 6, 1996. The shutdown of 2013 was precipitated by members of Congress trying to repeal or delay parts of the Affordable Care Act.