12 May, 1820: Birth of Florence Nightingale. Florence Nightingale was named after the city, Florence, Italy, where she was born on 12 May, 1820, in a very wealthy family. She was the founder of the nursing profession. At the age of 16, Florence heard the voice of God telling her that she had a special mission in life. She helped the British Army in the Crimean war.

Her efforts to formalize nursing education led her to establish the first scientifically based nursing school—the Nightingale School of Nursing, at St. Thomas’ Hospital in London (opened 1860).  Based on her studies, a Sanitary Department was established in India in 1868. She was called to her eternal home on 13 August 1910.

Florence Nightingale