Before there was Veterans Day, there was Armistice Day

Veterans Day is observed on Nov. 11 each year. 

The federal holiday is a day when Americans pay their respects and thank the millions of veterans who have served in the U.S. armed forces.

Veterans Day became a federal holiday in 1954. 

In October of that same year, President Eisenhower issued the first "Veterans Day Proclamation."

Below are nine numbers-based facts surrounding Veterans Day.