The the 2nd Century BCE, the Syrian-Greeks did not allow the Jews to practice their religion, and tried to force Greek ways on them.
Answer:
The Seleucids (Syrian-Greeks) under Antiochus Epiphanes (2nd century BCE), at the instigation of the Hellenizers, had forbidden various Torah-practices such as Sabbath-observance and circumcision, rededicated the Temple to a Greek idol, and pressed the Jews to offer up sacrifices to the idol. One of the leading elder Jewish sages called upon the people to keep observing the Torah anyway; and if necessary, to use force in resisting the decrees. When a Hellenized Jew offered a sacrifice to the Greek idols in a nearby village, the sage killed him as well as the Greek overseer. This brought a violent reaction from the Greeks; and the loyal Jews, led by the Hasmonean family, were forced to retreat from their towns and strike out at the Greeks in an attempt to oust them from the Holy Land and to enable the people to once again observe the Torah. The Torah-Jews were heavily outnumbered by the attacking Greek armies, but God gave them miraculous victories again and again. After three years of struggle, the Greek armies retreated from Jerusalem, and the Hasmoneans (also called Maccabees) entered the Holy Temple which the Greeks had defiled, reconsecrated it to God, and began the Temple service once more. Among other things, they wanted to relight the olive oil candelabrum (Exodus ch. 25), but could only find one day's supply of undefiled oil - and it would take eight days to make and bring some more.
Miraculously, the menorah stayed lit for eight days (Talmud, Shabbat 21b), allowing enough time for new oil to be prepared and brought. The significance of the miracle is that it demonstrated that God's presence was still there. The Torah-community was overjoyed, because God's presence meant everything to them.
This is what Hanukkah represents: the closeness to God; and the avoidance of Hellenization (assimilation).
The Torah Sages instituted the festival of Hanukkah at that time (Talmud, Shabbat 21b), to publicize the miracle (Rashi commentary, ibid). This is why we light our Hanukkah-menorahs.
It should be noted that the main goal for which the Maccabees fought was not political independence. They fought to enable the people to observe the Torah's commandments; as we say in the Al Hanisim prayer: "the Greeks sought to cause us to forget Your Torah and leave Your statutes."
חנוכה שמחSee also: More about Hanukkah
It is called a Hanukiah or a Hanukkah menorah.
Hanukkah is the name of Hanukkah. In Hebrew it is spelled חֲנֻכָּה
Hanukkah is a holiday, not a person.
Hanukkah is the real name for Hanukkah. It can also be spelled Chanukah or ×—× ×•×›×”
Jewish people celebrate Hanukkah. (They are not called "Hanukkah people")
There is no Jewish tradition of eating tamales on Hanukkah.
No specific colors are mentioned for Hanukkah in Jewish law.See also:More about Hanukkah
Hanukkah is a Jewish celebration with no connection to Buddhism.
Hanukkah is a Jewish celebration:http://judaism.answers.com/jewish-holidays/hanukkah
The festival of Hanukkah is in the Jewish religion. See also:http://judaism.answers.com/jewish-holidays/hanukkah
No specific colors are mentioned for Hanukkah in Jewish law.See also:More about Hanukkah