May 12, 1820 is the birthday of Florence Nightingale and the National Nurses Day has since taken this day to end the week long celebration to recognize the contributions that nurses and nursing makes to the community.
Born in Florence, Italy to the wealthy landowner William Nightingale and his wife Fanny, Florence was treated as her father’s friend and companion. She was taught Greek, Latin, French, German, Italian, history, philosophy and mathematics.
At the age of twenty five after refusing to marry several suitors, Florence told her parents she wanted to become a nurse. As nursing was associated with the working class women her parents were totally opposed to the idea.
» Read more: Florence Nightingale Deserved a Personalized Baby Gift
