Why is Samuel pepys' diary so useful to us?

Samuel Pepys is remembered today for a number of reasons:

(1) He gives a first-hand eye-witness account of an important time in English history;

(2) He also tells us a lot about fashions in costume, theatre, music and other entertainments in the 17th century;

(3) His language tells us a lot about the way English was spoken (and written) at that time.

His diary is a fascinating piece of literature, and is highly recommended reading.