The US National Menorah was lit near the White House on Sunday for Hanukkah, in a celebration that is one of the most high-profile events in the country to mark the Jewish holiday.
The eight-day Hanukkah celebration, also known as the Festival of Lights, started at sundown on Sunday December 22.
The lighting of the National Menorah in Washington, on the Ellipse near the White House, dates back to 1979 when then-President Jimmy Carter participated in the ceremony at nearby Lafayette Park.
The Jews have celebrated Hanukkah (The Festival of Lights) since 160 – 165 BC, to mark the miracle of the oil, victory over the Seleucids and the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem.