History Of National Pizza Day
National Pizza Day is a day to celebrate pizza in the United States. It is celebrated on February 9th every year. The origins of National Pizza Day are not clear, but it is believed to have started as a way for pizza shops to promote their businesses and increase sales.
Pizza has been popular in the United States since the early 1900s, when Italian immigrants brought their recipes and techniques to the country. However, it wasn’t until after World War II that pizza became a really popular food, thanks to the efforts of companies like Pizza Hut and Domino’s.
The first known celebration of National Pizza Day was in 1984, when a pizza chain called Pizza Today held a promotion to encourage people to order pizza. Since then, National Pizza Day has become more popular, with many pizza chains offering discounts and promotions on February 9th to celebrate the occasion.
National Pizza Day Timeline
1984
Pizza Today, a pizza chain, holds a promotion to encourage customers to order pizza on February 9th, which becomes the first recorded celebration of National Pizza Day.
1990s-2000s
Pizza chains like Pizza Hut and Domino’s become more popular and help make pizza a mainstream food in the United States.
2010s
National Pizza Day becomes more widely recognized and celebrated, with many pizza chains offering discounts and promotions on February 9th.
2017
The pizza chain Pizza Hut creates a limited-edition pizza-themed clothing line to celebrate National Pizza Day.
2019
The pizza chain Blaze Pizza offers $3.14 pizzas on National Pizza Day to celebrate Pi Day as well.
2020
National Pizza Day falls on a Sunday, which leads to increased sales for pizza chains.
2021
Many pizza chains, including Papa John’s and Domino’s, offer deals and discounts for National Pizza Day, despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ways to Celebrate National Pizza Day
Here are some simple ways to celebrate National Pizza Day:
- Order your favorite pizza from a local pizza place or a chain restaurant.
- Try a new pizza topping or a different style of pizza than you normally eat.
- Have a pizza party with your family or friends and try making your own pizzas.
- Share a pizza-themed meme or post on social media using the hashtag #NationalPizzaDay.
- Visit a pizzeria that you’ve never been to before and try their specialty pizza.
- Watch a movie or TV show that features pizza, such as the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles or Mystic Pizza.
- Make a pizza-inspired dessert, such as a Nutella and banana pizza or a s’mores pizza.
- Visit a pizza museum or exhibit, such as the Museum of Pizza in New York City.
- Donate pizza or funds to a local charity or food bank.
- Simply enjoy your favorite pizza and savor the deliciousness of this beloved food.
- Some Famous Pizza in the World
Here are ten of the most famous pizzas in the world:
- Margherita pizza – A classic pizza originating from Naples, Italy, made with tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella cheese, and basil leaves.
- Pepperoni pizza – A popular pizza in the United States and Canada, made with tomato sauce, cheese, and spicy pepperoni sausage.
- Neapolitan pizza – Another pizza originating from Naples, Italy, made with simple ingredients including San Marzano tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil.
- Chicago-style pizza – A deep-dish pizza originating from Chicago, Illinois, made with a thick crust and layered with tomato sauce, cheese, and various toppings.
- Sicilian pizza – A rectangular pizza originating from Sicily, Italy, made with a thick crust, tomato sauce, cheese, and various toppings.
- Hawaiian pizza – A controversial pizza that originated in Canada, made with tomato sauce, cheese, ham, and pineapple.
- New York-style pizza – A large, thin-crust pizza originating from New York City, made with tomato sauce and cheese, often sold by the slice.
- Calzone – A folded-over pizza originating from Naples, Italy, filled with tomato sauce, cheese, and various toppings.
- White pizza – A pizza made without tomato sauce, often featuring cheese, garlic, olive oil, and other toppings.
- Peking duck pizza – A fusion pizza popular in China and other parts of Asia, featuring roasted duck, hoisin sauce, and scallions on a thin crust.
Top 10 Pizza Toppings
Here are the top 10 pizza toppings with their approximate percentage of usage, based on various surveys:
Pepperoni (36%) – A type of spicy sausage commonly used as a pizza topping in the United States.
Mushrooms (22%) – A versatile and flavorful topping that pairs well with many other toppings.
Sausage (16%) – Another type of sausage commonly used as a pizza topping, often combined with other toppings such as onions and peppers.
Onions (14%) – A popular vegetable topping that adds a sweet and savory flavor to pizza.
Extra Cheese (11%) – A classic topping that adds richness and gooeyness to any pizza.
Black Olives (11%) – A salty and tangy topping that pairs well with vegetables and meats.
Bell Peppers (10%)- A colorful and crunchy vegetable topping that adds sweetness and texture to pizza.
Pineapple (7%) – A controversial fruit topping that adds a sweet and tropical flavor to pizza, often combined with ham or bacon.
Bacon (6%) – A salty and smoky meat topping that is often combined with other toppings like onions, mushrooms, and peppers.
Spinach (5%) – A healthy and flavorful vegetable topping that can be used as a standalone topping or combined with other vegetables like mushrooms and onions.
Most Popular Pizza Brands Around The World
Here are some of the most popular pizza brands around the world:
Domino’s Pizza – An American pizza chain with locations in more than 80 countries.
Pizza Hut – Another American pizza chain with locations in more than 100 countries.
Papa John’s – An American pizza chain with locations in more than 45 countries.
Little Caesars – An American pizza chain with locations in more than 25 countries.
PizzaExpress – A British pizza chain with locations in several countries around the world.
Pizza Capers – An Australian pizza chain with locations in several countries.
Telepizza – A Spanish pizza chain with locations in several countries in Europe and Latin America.
Eagle Boys Pizza – An Australian pizza chain with locations in several countries.
Pizza 4P’s – A Japanese pizza chain with locations in several countries in Asia.
Sbarro – An American pizza chain with locations in several countries around the world, particularly in shopping malls and airports.
Interesting facts about Pizza
According to survey agency here are some interesting facts about pizza:
- Pizza originated in Naples, Italy, in the 18th century. It was originally a simple flatbread with toppings, such as tomatoes, cheese, and olive oil.
- The word “pizza” comes from the Italian word “pizzaiuolo,” which means “pizza maker.”
- The first pizza restaurant in the United States, Lombardi’s, opened in New York City in 1905.
- According to the Guinness Book of World Records, Pizza Hut officially made the “World’s Largest Pizza” with the help of YouTuber Airrack.
- Americans eat approximately 350 slices of pizza per second, or 3 billion pizzas per year.
- In Japan, they have pizza with seafood, mayonnaise, and corn as toppings. They even have a pizza topped with eel!
- Pizza Hut once delivered a pizza to the International Space Station in 2001. It was a six-inch pizza with salami as the topping.
- In the 19th century, pizza was mainly eaten by peasants in Naples. It was only after King Umberto I and Queen Margherita visited Naples in 1889 that pizza became popular throughout Italy and eventually the world.
- The world’s most expensive pizza was made in New York City and cost $2,000. It was topped with edible gold flakes, stilton cheese, foie gras, truffles, and caviar.
- October is National Pizza Month in the United States.
National Pizza Day Around The World
National Pizza Day is celebrated on different dates around the world. as listed below:
United States – National Pizza Day is celebrated on February 9th.
Australia – National Pizza Day is celebrated on the first Friday in December.
Canada – National Pizza Day is celebrated on February 9th.
United Kingdom – There is not a specific National Pizza Day, but there is a Pizza Day on November 12th.
Italy – Where pizza originated, there is not a specific National Pizza Day, but pizza is celebrated every day.
It’s worth noting that pizza is a beloved food around the world and celebrated in many different ways beyond just a designated holiday.