As the longest government shutdown in U.S. history continues to create hardship for hundreds of thousands of federal employees, it’s important to remember that this is far from the first time Congress has shut the government down. Since 1976, there have been 22 separate shutdowns, often driven by deep political divisions over matters such as government spending, immigration and health care. This history of gridlock suggests that the current standoff may not end soon and, no matter its outcome, will leave a scar on American politics for years to come.