On the 25th of Kislev in the year 3622 from creation, the Maccabees liberated the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, after defeating the vastly more numerous and powerful armies of the Syrian-Greek king Antiochus IV, who had tried to forcefully uproot the beliefs and practices of Judaism from the people of Israel. The victorious Jews repaired, cleansed and rededicated the Temple to the service of G-d. But all the Temple's oil had been defiled by the pagan invaders; when the Jews sought to light the Temple's menorah (candelabra), they found only one small cruse of ritually pure olive oil. Miraculously, the one-day supply burned for eight days, until new, pure oil could be obtained. In commemoration, the Sages instituted the 8-day festival of Chanukah, on which lights are kindled nightly to recall and publicize the miracle.
Link: The Story of Chanukah
The eighth day of Chanukah is also known as Zot Chanukah (lit., "this is Chanukah"), after a key phrase in the special Chanukah Torah reading for this day (Numbers 7:54-8:4).
In the Jewish calendar, the day begins at nightfall; thus, the last kindling of the Chanukah lights is held on the evening preceding the 8th day of Chanukah, when eight lights are lit (see "Laws & Customs" for yesterday's date). Hallel and Al Hanissim are included in today's prayers. The festival of Chanukah concludes at nightfall this evening.
Our souls are in exile within our bodies. Our people is in exile within a foreign world.
And so there are two things we must know:
That this is not our place.
And that hidden treasure lies buried here; for G‑d dwells in darkness.
If we remember only that this is not our place, we may remain strong, we may even shine in the darkness. But what profit will there be from our exile?
And if we remember only that treasure lies here, we will begin to believe that this is our place, and if so, of what use is the treasure?