ABSTRACT
Individual memories are shaped disproportionately by lived experiences, while collective memories are represented in the full inventory of historical experiences that are drawn upon for contemporary sources of meaning. Sociologists have observed that for an event to have a generational effect it must have an enduring place in the memories of those who experienced it during their formative years. Drawing on a national sample, a University of Michigan study in 1989 found generational effects in perceptions of the most important historical events in their personal memories. To provide some assurance that the past will be remembered properly, acts of commemoration are directed toward the creation of national shrines, monuments, memorials, and holidays. These creations build upon echoes from the past and facilitate the memory process for current and future generations. In popular culture and mass entertainment, collective memories are reflected in the many ways stories are told to new generations about their historical past.
