The public memory

Public memory refers to the shared collection of memories, histories, and narratives held by a society or community. It shapes how groups remember significant events, figures, and cultural practices, often through monuments, museums, media, and education. Public memory influences collective identity, providing a sense of connection and understanding of the past. Unlike personal memory, which is individual, public memory is maintained and transmitted collectively, helping societies remember, interpret, and sometimes reinterpret their history over time.