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History of the holidays TMA..S HANUKKAH KWANZAA Hanukkah: a celebration of lights
by Beth conahan assistant news editor
Hanukkah isn't just eight days of gift giving. It's a celebration of lights that spans back to 165 BC.
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It could be said the defiling of a temple inspired this holiday. Hanukkah commemorates the victory of the Jews over the Hellenist Syrians.
The triumph was led by the Maccabees, sons of a priestly family.
After the victory, the Maccabees entered the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.
It had been defiled by the Syrians. They cleansed it and celebrated the first Hanukkah to rededicate it to God.
So where does the meno-
