remembrances

Remembrances are acts, objects, or occasions that preserve memory of people, events, or experiences. The term covers private recollections as well as formal commemorations. In daily language, remembrances refer to the act of recalling the past and the emotional resonance of those memories; in public life, they denote ceremonies, monuments, and observances designed to honor or mourn.

Etymology: the word derives from Old French remembrance, from remembrer “to remember,” related to Latin memor, “mindful.” The concept encompasses both personal memory and collective remembrance.

Public remembrances include national and community observances such as Remembrance Day (Armistice Day) on November 11 in the United Kingdom, Canada, and many Commonwealth countries, and Memorial Day in the United States. These events typically involve moments of silence, wreath-laying, and the honoring of those who died in conflicts. Private remembrances include diaries, letters, photographs, and personal recollections that individuals preserve to recall people and experiences.

Cultural and religious practices around remembrance vary. Many cultures hold days or rites to honor the dead, such as All Souls’ Day, Día de los Muertos, or Yizkor in Judaism, among others. In literature and memory studies, remembrances appear as memoirs, recollections, or reflective passages that contribute to personal and collective identity. The concept underscores that memory is both formative and fallible, often selective and reconstructive, differing across individuals and communities.