Long History

Random UK Prime Minister of the Week. 1834-35 & 1841-46: Robert Peel

Arguably the 19th century's most famous prime minister, not least because he created a police force who would use his name ('bobby'). What else led to Robert Peel being one of the most reformist of all prime ministers?

Jacques Cartier’s Three Voyages to Canada: Top Ten Surprises

What stood out in the source documents about Jacques Cartier's journeys exploring the area of Canada's St Lawrence River? What makes these documents different from others looked at on Long History?

Jacques Cartier's Three Voyages to Canada: Top Ten Events

French explorer Jacques Cartier explored the area of the St Lawrence River in the 1500s, leading to the earliest written use of the word Canada. What were the main events during Cartier's three journeys to the area of today's Montreal and Quebec City? 

Random UK Prime Minister of the Week. 1754-1756; 1757-1762: Thomas Pelham-Holles

One of the earliest prime ministers was also the only one to follow his brother into the top job. Find out more about Thomas Pelham-Holles, the Duke of Newcastle, who was prime minister during the Seven Years War.

Two Years of Long History: The Most Memorable Events

Long History has just passed its second birthday. We've heard fantastical claims about El Dorado, we've followed the earliest explorers across the Pacific and heard eye-witness accounts of the earliest exploration and settlement of North America. What were the highlights of Long History's second year?

The Second and the Third Voyages of Columbus: Top Ten Surprises

On Columbus' second journey he went to find out what happened to the men he left behind on Hispaniola. On the third journey he headed towards the southern Caribbean on his search for new lands. What were the main surprises along the way?

Random UK Prime Minister of the Week. 1902-1905: Arthur Balfour

Victoria's reign was over; the 20th century had begun. Balfour represented the last gasps of the Victorian era. Why has he, even recently, raised controversy?

The Second and the Third Voyages of Columbus: Top Ten Events

Columbus’ first journey is of course his most famous, but what happened on the journeys were he returned to the Americas?

Sir Walter Raleigh and Virginia. Part 18. The Remnants and the Return

(18 of 18) John White left possessions behind when he left Virginia in 1587. Three years later he return, to find out what happened to the more than 120 people he'd left behind to found a settlement. They had all disappeared, but there was another question: what had happened to his possessions?

Random UK Prime Minister of the Week. 1970-1974: Edward Heath

Who was the prime minister mentioned in The Beatles' Taxman ("Haha Mr Heath")? Edward Heath took office as the 70s began, leading to a turbulent decade in British politics.