Nature publishing group has compiled an interesting list of milestones with respect to 'photons' and 'light microscopy'. Below are the links to the same. Each milestone is further explained with an article. Relevant references are also cited in these articles.
Photons - http://www.nature.com/milestones/milephotons/timeline.html
Light microscopy - http://www.nature.com/milestones/milelight/timeline.html
Worth reading !
