What is Hanukkah?

Although not Jewish ourselves, we hear about Hanukkah and wonder "what is Hanukkah"? Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday celebration observed for eight days and nights starting from the 25th day of Kislev of the Hebrew calendar which when translated to the Gregorian calendar as sometime between late November until late December. 

This year, Hanukkah fell on December 16th and ends on the 24th of the same month. Also called The Festival of Lights or Feast of Dedication, it is a commemoration of the re dedication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem and is observed by lighting a candelabrum or the nine-branched menorah or Hanukkah, one additional light per night until the eight and final night.