We review the history of the long-lasting phosphorescent(LLP)materials and present its recent progress in this article. Some questions of the LLP materials, such as its phosphorescent mechanism, are also discussed. Basing on the principle of the abnormal-valence chemistry of lanthanide, we summarize the action of rare earth ions in LLP materials and present our idea on the designing of LLP materials. At last, we give our opinion on the probable development of LLP materials in future.