Shutdowns of the past
On 17 occasions since September 1976, Congress has allowed appropriations to lapse, requiring the government to begin shutting down non-essential operations.
Fiscal Year 1977
• The government shut down on Thursday, Sept. 30, 1976, for 10 days.
Fiscal Year 1978
• The government shut down on Friday, Sept. 30, 1977, for 12 days;
• Monday, Oct. 31, 1977, for eight days; and on
• Wednesday, Nov. 30, 1977, for eight days.
Fiscal Year 1979
• The government shut down on Saturday, Sept. 30, 1978, for 17 days.
Fiscal Year 1980
• The government shut down on Sunday, Sept. 30, 1979, for 11 days
Fiscal Year 1982
• The government shut down on Friday, Nov. 20, 1981, for two days.
Fiscal Year 1983
• The government shut down on Thursday, Sept. 30, 1982, for one day; and on
• Friday, Dec. 17, 1982, for three days.
Fiscal Year 1984
• The government shut down on Thursday, Nov. 10, 1983, for three days.
Fiscal Year 1985
• The government shut down on Sunday, Sept. 30, 1984, for two days; and on
• Wednesday, Oct. 3, 1984, for one day.
Fiscal Year 1987
• The government shut down on Thursday, Oct. 16, 1986, for one day.
Fiscal Year 1988
• The government shut down on Friday, Dec. 18, 1987, for one day.
Fiscal Year 1991
• The government shut down on Friday, Oct. 5, 1990, for three days.
Fiscal Year 1996
• The government shut down on Monday, Nov. 13, 1995, for five days; and on
• Friday, Dec. 15, 1995, for 21 days.
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