A 16-YEAR-OLD BOY DIARY

                                    

Macerata 17 marzo 1862

Dear diary, what a day!

I haven't got enough time for you, it is late but I want to tell about the big party we had to celebrate the unity of Italy today, in Macerata, and I also think in all the other towns of Italy. Last year, we didn't have any celebrations, no money to spend! People were also a little disappointed, Macerata was no longer important,  the favourite town after the unity was Ancona.  My family and I and all my neighbours have been busy with the decoration of our houses and the street where we live for almost a month: we put green, white and red flowers everywhere and we hung the ITALIAN FLAG on each balcony.

At school, we revised all the events that brought us to be united and we remembered the people who died for us, including my uncle. I told you about that, the bad news arrived on 18th Semptember 1860: my uncle Enrico had been killed by a bullet in the battle of Castelfidardo, when the troops of General Cialdini defeated the papal forces. I miss him, it was from him that I learned how difficult it is to  do one's duty.

But now back to today. The day began with the Philharmonic Band playing in the square. Then, my friends Nicola, Francesco and I went for a walk in the city centre and ate a lot of sweets. At half past twelve, we had lunch together at my house. My mum is a good cook and guess what she cooked: YES! PASSATELLI, my favourite dish. It was a real treat! After that, I had la rest and my friends went back to their home. At five o'clock I went to the horse race with my dad and my brother. It was exciting and at the end we all cheered the winners singing THE SONGS OF THE  ITALIANS, accompanied by the music of the Philharmonic Band. The first cash prize was 50 liras, while the second one was 25 liras. Then, at seven o'clock we walked back home: all the streets were decorated with fantastic lights: a great show! Everywhere you could hear crackers being let off. Celebrations went on after dinner too, with a fantastic show of fireworks and a concert of the band in the main square.

Now, it is ten o'clock, I'm tired, I am going to bed, but I still feel thrilled, I am thinking about this day, the band, the race and the cash prize, I wish I had so much money! What would I spend the money on, if I had won the horse race: yes, you know, a bike! My eyes are closing...... I hope Italy will still be one nation and people will go on honouring those who died for the unity of our country. What will it be like in the future, let's say... in 150 years?
Good night , diary.

Riccardo