The budget battles between President Barack Obama and Congress that threatened to shut down government operations were nothing new. More than a dozen have taken place since the late 1970s – most lasting no more than a day or two, but sometimes much longer. During President Bill Clinton’s first term, a budget dispute arose over the funding of medicare, and various education, health and environmental programs: similar to what almost happened with Obama in 2011, when Congress refused to raise the debt limit without certain concessions from the White House. Neither side gave way, and owing to lack of funds, the government had to shut down.

On this day, November 14, in 1995, the longest shutdown in history began: 21 days, with all non-essential federal services shuttered.

Millions of dollars of productivity were lost as a result. Toxic waste cleanup halted, as was clinical research and disease monitoring. Passport and visa applications went unprocessed, meaning visitors who wanted to bring money into the country could not. And during one of the busiest times of the season, right around Thanksgiving, all national parks were closed.