Long History

Random UK Prime Minister of the Week. 1945-1951: Clement Attlee

Clement Attlee, the 42nd prime minister, was the first premier after WWII. Find out more about the man who created the national health service.

The Second Voyage of Christopher Columbus. 6: The Most Prosperous and Wealthy Sovereigns in the World

(6 of 6) Columbus has reached Hispaniola and has discovered the fate of the men left behind on his previous voyage. How was Hispaniola described in 1494?

The Second Voyage of Christopher Columbus. 5: Guacamari and the Destruction of Navidad

(5 of 6) Columbus has reached the settlement he left behind on his previous journey. What reasons were given by the local people for the destruction of the first Spanish settlement in the Americas? What happened to its men?

Random UK Prime Minister of the Week. 1721-1742: Robert Walpole

Who was the first prime minister of Great Britain? He was also the longest-serving prime minister: what made him so exceptional?

The Second Voyage of Christopher Columbus. 4: Disease, Quarrels, Attacks and Fire in Navidad

(4 of 6) During his first journey to the Americas, Columbus Columbus was forced to leave 39 men behind. On his second journey he went in search for them. What did he find when he finally reached them?

The Second Voyage of Christopher Columbus. 3: Perplexity and Astonishment – St Martin to Hispaniola

(3 of 6) How was the first European sighting of Puerto Rico? When did Europeans first see St Martin and The Virgin Islands in the Caribbean?

Random UK Prime Minister of the Week. 1830-1834: Charles Grey – Earl Grey

The 22nd prime minister was much more than a cup of tea. He fundamentally reformed the country's voting system and finally made slavery illegal. Find out more in this episode.

The Second Voyage of Christopher Columbus. 2: Rumours and Wanderers on Guadeloupe

(2 of 6) On Columbus's second journey how was his visit to Guadeloupe? How were the people, their rivalries and even their canibalism, described? Should we take the descriptions at face value?

The Second Voyage of Christopher Columbus. 1: The Most Beautiful Thing in the World – The Canaries to Dominica and Guadeloupe

(1 of 6) On the second voyage by Christopher Columbus, where did he first reach in the Caribbean? This episode of Long History introduces Christopher Columbus' second voyage, including a brief summary of his first voyage. The principal destination of this voyage was the settlement of Navidad. Columbus wanted to see what had happened to the 39 men who were left behind on Hispaniola on his previous voyage.

Random UK Prime Minister of the Week. 1765-1766 & 1782: Charles Watson-Wentworth

Who dealt with US calls for independence? Here is an introduction to the 8th prime minister, Charles Watson-Wentworth, who was prime minister twice, in the 1760s and for less than four months in the 1780s. He was in opposition when the US declared independence, and was premier both before and after that declaration, and so dealt with the fallout of this momentous split. He also helped to crystallise the concept of an opposition in British politics.