Given that we’re on the verge of a possible federal government shutdown, I figured these data were topical. There have been 17 shutdowns since 1976, all of which started within a few months of the beginning of the fiscal year. Only one (in 1995-1996, during the Clinton administration) has continued into January.

Here’s hoping that the politicians can resolve their issues and keep our national parks open!

Data source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Government_shutdown