8 Tishrei

c 989 BCE- The dedication festivities celebrating the completion of the Beit Hamikdash, built by King Solomon, commenced and continued for seven days, including Yom Kippur.

King David had brought the Ark of the Covenant up to Mount Moriah but as a warrior he was not permitted by G-d to build the Temple . However, his son Solomon did so.  The Holy Temple was the most important site in the Land of Israel-- a spiritual magnet for the Jewish nation's yearnings. The magnificent structure took seven years to build, and served as the epicenter of Jewish national and spiritual life for over 400 years before being destroyed by Babylonians under Nebuchadnezzar on the 9th of Av.