Article is devoted to the analysis of the historiographic tradition of the beginning of the 21st century relating to history of the Decembrist movement, revolt at the Senate Square and also studying of historical memory of Russia of these events in 190 years. The group of authors traces evolution of historiographic process, analyzing results of the major scientific event - the International scientific conference "Historical memory of Russia and Decembrists. 1825-2015", which has taken place in St. Petersburg in anniversary days on December 14-16, 2015. Authors touch on an issue of formation and functioning of historical memory of Decembrists - a key plot in modern conditions of the ambiguous attitude towards them from outside of both the authorities and society. Refs 13.