The first U.S. government shutdown took place on May 1, 1980, and lasted just one day. Since then, shutdowns have grown longer, costlier, and increasingly disruptive, draining billions from the economy. How did they become a fixture of American politics, and what can history reveal about the looming standoff? New America’s Mark Schmitt shares his insight. Listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Transcript Shannon Lynch: The first U.S. Government shutdown happened on May 1, 1980.