n.A commemorative item, especially a monument honoring an individual or individuals who have died.A written statement of facts accompanying a petition.An informal document detailing the terms of a contract or transaction; a memorandum3.A formal document issued by a legislative body expressing an opinion or requesting another body outside its jurisdiction to take some action.
Citations
NARA 2001 Generally speaking, in the late 18th and 19th centuries a petition, unlike a memorial, included a prayer (e.g., petition of John Smith praying that his claim be granted). Memorials also express opposition to ('remonstrate against') some pending action. In modern usage, there is no apparent difference between a memorial and a petition, and petition has become the commonly accepted generic term. A similar document transmitted to Congress by a legislative body such as a State legislature takes the form of a resolution and is sometimes termed a memorial.
