Following on from our previous article (Oon and Subramaniam 2009 "Phys. Educ." 44 384-91), here we trace ideas on the history of light from the Planck era to modern times. In particular, the seminal contributions of Planck, Einstein and de Broglie are highlighted. Some lesser known facets of the nature of light are also emphasized. It is stressed that budding physicists in schools have a lot to learn from the history of these developments. [For Part I, see EJ848947.]