Do You Have a Family Story That Defines Who You Are?

American history is often recounted through major events. But every family has its own stories, moments that were perhaps never recorded in a history book — the purchase of a home, a hometown disaster, a death, a move — yet speak to the events that define the United States.

Times Opinion wants to know about the story, whether passed down through generations at family gatherings or something shared quietly, that has influenced choices you or your family has made.

It doesn’t matter how small or how specific to your family, or how much the story has become myth as much as fact: We want to hear the story that your family has passed on from generation to generation.

The Times is committed to publishing a diversity of letters to the editor. We’d like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. Here are some tips. And here’s our email: [email protected].

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