World-famous or local legend? New study investigates global and local forms of collective memory and group identity

The Quick Take

Napoleon Bonaparte and Bernardo O'Higgins: two 19th-century military leaders renowned to this day in their native countries of France and Chile. Yet, while Napoleon's name and exploits are known throughout the world, O'Higgins remains largely obscure outside his homeland. This phenomenon demonstrates the distinction between global and local collective memory—the shared knowledge of the past that s