In Israel (Judea), in about 165 BCE.
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 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). The eight-day rededication of the Temple is also mentioned in the book of Maccabees (I, 4:36; and II, 1:18); and Josephus mentions the eight-day festival in Antiquities ch.12.
The Al-Hanisim prayer which we recite during Hanukkah centers around the Hasmoneans' victory, while the candle-lighting commemorates the miracle of the oil.
Though the military victory is prominently mentioned in the prayers, it wouldn't have been celebrated if not for the miracle of the oil.
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."
Hanukkah doesn't originate in French. It is a Hebrew word (see Numbers 7:10 and Nehemiah 12:27); and when it is found in French or other languages, it has been borrowed and transliterated from the Hebrew.
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.
There is no Jewish tradition of eating tamales on Hanukkah.
Jewish people celebrate Hanukkah. (They are not called "Hanukkah people")
Hanukkah is the real name for Hanukkah. It can also be spelled Chanukah or ×—× ×•×›×”
Hanukkah is a Jewish celebration with no connection to Buddhism.
No specific colors are mentioned for Hanukkah in Jewish law.See also:More about Hanukkah
Hanukkah is a Jewish celebration:http://judaism.answers.com/jewish-holidays/hanukkah
There are many Hanukkah songs, but any music is appropriate for Hanukkah.