Twenty-five years after the September 11 terrorist attacks, many people remain convinced that their memories of that day are highly accurate and detailed. In psychology, these vivid recollections are known as "flashbulb memories." Unlike memories of direct personal trauma, these are defined by the specific context in which an individual first learned of a significant public event.

Memory researchers have found that while these recollections feel exceptionally clear, they are subject to the same patterns of decay and inaccuracy as ordinary memories. Over time, people often forget initial details or inadvertently introduce new, contradictory information into their accounts. Despite these flaws, flashbulb memories serve a distinct social function. They are typically formed when an event is perceived as highly consequential to a person's social group or identity, acting as a bridge between personal history and collective experience.

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Sharing these memories helps reinforce social bonds and patriotism. By recounting where they were and what they were doing when the news broke, individuals connect their personal lives to a broader national narrative. This process is often used to pass down historical lessons to younger generations, effectively turning individual experiences into a form of "bearing witness."

The phrase "never forget," which emerged as a rallying cry following the 9/11 attacks, functions as both a personal act of mourning and a public call to honor those affected. As the event moves further into the past, the nature of remembrance shifts from personal recollection to abstract reflection, supported by institutions like the 9/11 Memorial and Museum. Ultimately, the act of remembering 9/11 encompasses a spectrum of experiences, ranging from the traumatic memories of those present at the sites to the flashbulb memories of those who heard the news from afar, and finally to the factual knowledge held by those who study the event as history.

Source: The Conversation