The Seleucids (Syrian-Greeks) under Antiochus Epiphanes (2nd century BCE), at the instigation of the Hellenizers, had forbidden various Torah-practices in Judea, such as Sabbath-observance, and pressed the Jews to offer up idolatrous sacrifices. The Hasmoneans (a family of religious Jews) fought to retake the Holy Temple, which had been seized by the Seleucids, and to enable the people to once again observe the Torah.
When they reached the Temple grounds and prepared to light the oil lamps of the Temple's menorah (Exodus ch.25), they found only one day's supply of unsullied olive oil. 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 still dwelt in the Holy Temple. 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 also 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