<P> The United States government has continuously had a fluctuating public debt since its formation in 1789 , except for about a year during 1835 -- 1836 . To allow comparisons over the years , public debt is often expressed as a ratio to gross domestic product ( GDP ) . </P>
<P> The United States government has continuously had a fluctuating public debt since its formation in 1789 , except for about a year during 1835 -- 1836 . To allow comparisons over the years , public debt is often expressed as a ratio to gross domestic product ( GDP ) . </P>
how long has the us had a national debt
how long has the us had a national debt
1789
1789