National Nurses Day in United States
Quick Facts
National Nurses Day is an occasion to honor the work of nurses.Local names
| Name | Language |
|---|---|
| National Nurses Day | English |
| Día Nacional de la Enfermería | Spanish |
National Nurses Day 2012
Sunday, May 6, 2012National Nurses Day 2013
Monday, May 6, 2013List of dates for other years
National Nurses Day is celebrated annually on May 6 to raise awareness of the important role nurses play in society. It marks the beginning of National Nurses Week, which ends on May 12, the birthday of Florence Nightingale.
"Advocating, leading, caring" - the slogan of the American Nursing Association (ANA). ©iStockphoto.com/AlexRaths
What do people do?
On National Nurses Day celebrations and receptions are held across the United States to honor the work of nurses. Among the most popular activities are banquets, state and city proclamations, and seminars. Many nurses receive gifts or flowers from friends, family members, or patients.
Public life
National Nurses Day and National Nurses Week are observances but they not a public holidays in the United States.
Background
May 12, the final day of National Nurses Week, is the birthday of Florence Nightingale (1820-1910). The English nurse became known as the founder of professional nursing, especially due to her pioneering work during the Crimean War (1853-1856). Due to her habit of making rounds at night, Nightingale became known as "The Lady with the Lamp".
National Nurses Week was first observed in October 1954, the 100th anniversary of Nightingale's mission to Crimea. May 6 was introduced as the date for the observance in 1982.
National Nurses Day Observances
| Weekday | Date | Year | Name | Holiday type | Where it is observed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu | May 6 | 1982 | National Nurses Day | Observance | |
| Fri | May 6 | 1983 | National Nurses Day | Observance | |
| Sun | May 6 | 1984 | National Nurses Day | Observance | |
| Mon | May 6 | 1985 | National Nurses Day | Observance | |
| Tue | May 6 | 1986 | National Nurses Day | Observance | |
| Wed | May 6 | 1987 | National Nurses Day | Observance | |
| Fri | May 6 | 1988 | National Nurses Day | Observance | |
| Sat | May 6 | 1989 | National Nurses Day | Observance | |
| Sun | May 6 | 1990 | National Nurses Day | Observance | |
| Mon | May 6 | 1991 | National Nurses Day | Observance | |
| Wed | May 6 | 1992 | National Nurses Day | Observance | |
| Thu | May 6 | 1993 | National Nurses Day | Observance | |
| Fri | May 6 | 1994 | National Nurses Day | Observance | |
| Sat | May 6 | 1995 | National Nurses Day | Observance | |
| Mon | May 6 | 1996 | National Nurses Day | Observance | |
| Tue | May 6 | 1997 | National Nurses Day | Observance | |
| Wed | May 6 | 1998 | National Nurses Day | Observance | |
| Thu | May 6 | 1999 | National Nurses Day | Observance | |
| Sat | May 6 | 2000 | National Nurses Day | Observance | |
| Sun | May 6 | 2001 | National Nurses Day | Observance | |
| Mon | May 6 | 2002 | National Nurses Day | Observance | |
| Tue | May 6 | 2003 | National Nurses Day | Observance | |
| Thu | May 6 | 2004 | National Nurses Day | Observance | |
| Fri | May 6 | 2005 | National Nurses Day | Observance | |
| Sat | May 6 | 2006 | National Nurses Day | Observance | |
| Sun | May 6 | 2007 | National Nurses Day | Observance | |
| Tue | May 6 | 2008 | National Nurses Day | Observance | |
| Wed | May 6 | 2009 | National Nurses Day | Observance | |
| Thu | May 6 | 2010 | National Nurses Day | Observance | |
| Fri | May 6 | 2011 | National Nurses Day | Observance | |
| Sun | May 6 | 2012 | National Nurses Day | Observance | |
| Mon | May 6 | 2013 | National Nurses Day | Observance | |
| Tue | May 6 | 2014 | National Nurses Day | Observance | |
| Wed | May 6 | 2015 | National Nurses Day | Observance |
Other holidays in May 2012 in United States
- Loyalty Day ―Tuesday, May 1, 2012
- Law Day ―Tuesday, May 1, 2012
- World Press Freedom Day ―Thursday, May 3, 2012
- National Day of Prayer ―Thursday, May 3, 2012
- Rhode Island Independence Day ―Friday, May 4, 2012
- Cinco de Mayo ―Saturday, May 5, 2012
- Primary Election Day West Virginia ―Tuesday, May 8, 2012
- Primary Election Day Indiana ―Tuesday, May 8, 2012
- Truman Day ―Tuesday, May 8, 2012
- Time of Remembrance and Reconciliation for Those Who Lost Their Lives during the Second World War ―Tuesday, May 8, 2012
- Lag B'Omer ―Thursday, May 10, 2012
- Confederate Memorial Day ―Thursday, May 10, 2012
- World Migratory Bird Day ―Saturday, May 12, 2012
- Mother's Day ―Sunday, May 13, 2012
- Peace Officers Memorial Day ―Tuesday, May 15, 2012
- International Day of Families ―Tuesday, May 15, 2012
- World Information Society Day ―Thursday, May 17, 2012
- Ascension Day ―Thursday, May 17, 2012
- National Defense Transportation Day ―Friday, May 18, 2012
- Armed Forces Day ―Saturday, May 19, 2012
- World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development ―Monday, May 21, 2012
- International Day for Biological Diversity ―Tuesday, May 22, 2012
- National Maritime Day ―Tuesday, May 22, 2012
- Towel Day ―Friday, May 25, 2012
- National Missing Children's Day ―Friday, May 25, 2012
- African Liberation Day ―Friday, May 25, 2012
- Shavuot ―Sunday, May 27, 2012
- Pentecost ―Sunday, May 27, 2012
- Memorial Day ―Monday, May 28, 2012
- Whit Monday ―Monday, May 28, 2012
- Jefferson Davis Birthday ―Monday, May 28, 2012
- International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers ―Tuesday, May 29, 2012
- World No Tobacco Day ―Thursday, May 31, 2012
Other calendars
- Perpetual yearly calendar - make yearly calendar for any year
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