OCTOBER 30/CHESHVAN 15

3622 (139 BCE):

Yahrzeit of Mattityahu ben Yochanan, leader of the uprising against the Syrian-Greeks. His five sons -- the "Macabees" Yehudah, Yochanan, Shimon, Elazar and Yonatan-–carried on the battle after his death to their eventual victory, resulting in Jewish independence, which had not been enjoyed for more than 400 years. The Maccabean Revolt is celebrated each year by Jews the world over with the festival of Chanukah.

Gustave Dore (Public Domain)