Welcome to another bonus episode of Calm History, an extra treat for my Silk Plus members.

Florence Nightingale and the Crimean War, the birth of modern nursing.

To best understand the role of Florence Nightingale in history,

it is best to begin with the Crimean War and the care of the wounded soldiers.

For many years, in the early 1800s, Russia was posturing to invade Turkey.

Controlling Turkey would give Russia a strong economic and military advantage.

Both of these countries bordered the Black Sea.

Russia occupied most of the northern shore,

and Turkey occupied much of the northern shore, and Turkey occupied much of the southern shore.

Finally, in 1853, Russia began to invade some Turkish lands,

and the two countries were at war.

Soon after, England, France, and Sardinia joined the Turks in their fight

against Russia. In September 1854, 50,000 Allied troops landed on the north shore of the Black Sea, ready to fight the Russians.

This area of Russia was the Crimean Peninsula, the namesake of the Crimean War, and the location of many battles.

Shortly after landing, the Allies gained their first victory over the Russians.

A great shout of joy went up all over England.

Victory, victory, cried old and young.

The whole country went mad with joy, and for a short time, no one thought of anything except glory.

After a little time, though, the stories of the men who perished and were wounded also reached

England. The sounds of celebration soon mingled with the sounds of sorrow and grief.

The wounded weren't just dying on the battlefields.

They were dying from the poor medical care they received from their own personnel.

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