The article analyzes the «memory wars» that became a characteristic phenomenon of the political and legal life of society at the end of the 20th and beginning of the 21st centuries, as well as the reasons that caused them. Two points of view on memorial laws are examined starting from greetings and to statements about restricting freedom of speech and freedom of scientific creativity. A possible classification of states depending on their attitude to memorial law is given. The reasons for the appearance of memorial laws are revealed and the author's version of their typology is proposed.