The idea of a government shutdown is a quirk of American history. Scroll through our timeline for a look back in time at government shutdowns. Read full coverag...
1995-96: The real thing Cue President Bill Clinton and Gingrich.
Two big men with big ideas and big-time egos, the Democratic president and the Republican House speaker charged into a cage match and ended up wrestling the U.S. government to the ground. Twice.
These two shutdowns, for six days and 21 days, were the longest ever. Until now they were assumed to have taught politicians the folly of ever again powering down the world's most powerful government. Maybe not.
Serious issues were at stake in 1995 -- the future of Medicare, tax cuts, aid for the poor, the budget deficit.