"things worth remembering," 1792, from Latin memorabilia "notable achievements," noun use of neuter plural of memorabilis "worthy of being remembered" (see memorable). The use of the word in English probably was suggested by Xenophon's Memorabilia of Socrates. Originally of writings; by 1922 it was being used in reference to objects and relics that serve to recall something to the memory, things associated with some person, place, or event.
