Hanukkah History

Learn about the history of Hanukkah, a holiday historians and researchers are often deeply divided about what really happened.

The story of Hanukkah is not included in the Bible. It is found in books 1 and 2 of Maccabees. These books tell the story of the small band of Jewish fighters who liberated the Land of Israel from the Syrian Greeks.

Unlike many Jewish holidays, Hanukkah (also known as the Festival of Lights) is not mentioned in the Bible. The historical events upon which the celebration is based are recorded in Maccabees I and II.

Find out more about the history of Hanukkah, including videos, interesting articles, pictures, historical features and more. Get all the facts on HISTORY.com

Hanukkah is the most adult of holidays. Its lesson is that even the struggles that saved a people are dappled with tragic irony, complexity and unattractive choices.

The Maccabean Revolt. The History of Hanukkah. Hanukkah, The Festival of Lights. Jewish Holidays.

More than 2000 years ago there was a time when the land of Israel was part of the Syrian-Greek Empire, dominated by Syrian rulers of the dynasty of the Seleucids.

Hanukkah, or Chanukkah, the Jewish festival of re-dedication, sometimes known as the festival of lights, overlaps with Christmas this year, lasting eight days from the evening of December 24th to the evening of January 1st.

The holiday is confusing—and not just its spelling

Robert Siegel speaks with Simon Schama, author of The Story of the Jews, about the political history of Hanukkah.

We all know the story. The courageous Maccabees, the oil that lasted for a miraculous eight nights. We all know the branded fable, the great tale of Hanukkah that has been recited again and again in synagogues and religious schools forever. But it isn’t the whole story.

Many Jewish families celebrate the holiday by handing out gelt, chocolate coins covered in gold and silver. These days they're treats for kids. But the practice began as a way to thank labor.

Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, is celebrated for eight days beginning at sundown on Dec. 24, 2016. On the Hebrew calendar, Hanukkah begins on 25 Kislev.