Ugh. Another government apology

Why do governments do this? I've never understood it, and even now that it may be applicable to me in the smallest of ways, I still don't get it. Who cares if a government body today apologizes for another government body whose members are long dead. Does anybody ever really sleep better at night as a result of these? I mean, besides the government officials who wear themselves out with pats on the back afterwards? And who wastes time and resources seeking these apologies out? What a waste.