If history is a record of past recollection of actual events, then memory is a microcosmic form of history.
History begins as an event which is witnessed by others. The event is carried in rumor form by word of mouth until it reaches the ears of the journalist. It then takes on the form of breaking news.
Likewise, memory begins as an event in the present which is processed by an individual who then becomes the primary source messenger who communicates the event to others…while it is still hot off the press.
History moves from breaking news to a more elaborate news story, which is still largely based in the actual facts of the event itself, which are close at hand [in relation to time]. Memories move from shared information and experience to the saved story stage of development. We remember what happened to us a few days ago and we can recall it fairly simply and clearly, sharing it with others and reflecting upon it ourselves.
History moves from news story to more permanent book form, which is usually quite a bit more inflated and embellished than the original story. Memories move from a saved story in my memory to a ‘war story’ event which is largely inflated and embellished…e.g. longer winded, now that I have had time to think on it in retrospect.
History moves from the book form of a story to the textbook form of pre-legend-like material—the more formal form of what we mean when we refer to history. Memory moves from the ‘war story’ stage to the pre-legendary stage as well…it becomes less and less clear as to the actual facts and begins to show signs of a greater purpose than just a recollection of facts. A person begins to use the memories to learn lessons and glean insights in to life and living at this point.
History then moves into the form of pure legend—this takes hundreds of years, sometimes thousands. Memory does the same…only on a shorter time scale than does history.
Finally, history moves into the murky waters of myth, which is more concerned with lessons and moral truths than it is in the facts surrounding the original event [from which the myth first sprang]. Memory is the same. After much time, the memory of memories becomes vastly pale and distant, misty and cloudy with all the marks of true myth and legend. Memories which are far removed in time from an actual event are much more blurry and obscure in fact, but their lessons and moral truths become more and more clear to the individual.
It is odd. History and memory are not the events that they recollect; they are only the accounts of those events. History and memory seem to lead to the same pristine point, that of lessons learned and insights gained into life and existence by man.
History and memory appear to serve the purpose of teaching man lessons and giving to humans insights into the meaning of his/her existence.
Therefore, history and memory are just as significant as the events they record in and of themselves, as the lessons intended by the events of life are often more clearly seen and understood the further removed in time man goes from an actual event.