It interesting to note the story of the oil and there is some interpretation amongst different groups in Judasim (yes, like any other religion, they don't all agree). Some rabbis say the story of the oil is how it happened. Others will say that it probably didn't happen, but as in any great religious story, the hero needs to be G-d. So Judah Maccabee was the one who led the rag-tag rebellious army against the Assyrians, who were the most advanced army at the time, and beat them. There are so many ways that the story could have gone.
It takes 8 days to consecrate (Bless and make holy) a temple and the first temple was desecrated by the Assyrians, so it had to be re-dedicated. The oil is what keeps the Ner Tamid lit. The Ner Tamid is a light that is always burning in a temple and (again depending on the group you talk to) symbolizes the light of G-d that can never be extinguished. It is an important part of any temple. Having a day's worth of oil last 8 days is the miracle of G-d that was needed to have a mere mortal heroic, but the biggest hero was the big guy upstairs.
The Ner Tamid, by the way is seen today in some Christian churches, only it is symbolizing the light of Christ. There are many things that the Jews and Christians do that have are the same. So while we worship differently, we do worship the same G-d, and as in many things in religion, we disagree on the Messianic piece of it.
Hanukkah is not in the top 5 Jewish holidays, by the way. It just gets a lot of attention around this time of year because of the Christmas celebrations. But it is one of the times during the year that the family gets together and feasts. One of the running jokes among Jews is that the definition of a Jewish holiday is "Someone tried to kill us, we survived, lets eat."
It's pretty much true, except for Yom Kippur.
So Happy Hanukkah to my Hebrew Homies and thanks everyone for the wishes. 8)