National Pizza Day

A Slice of Heaven on Earth

National Pizza Day is more than just a date on the calendar—it's a sacred occasion. Even the ancient Romans would’ve likely swapped their swords and shields for a slice of pepperoni, had they been so lucky. From the moment you lift that first gooey slice to the inevitable moment when you contemplate eating just one more, National Pizza Day brings the world together like no other food can. It’s a day for thin-crust fans, deep-dish defenders, and everyone who’s ever burned the roof of their mouth in a valiant attempt to eat pizza that was clearly still lava-hot. So, buckle up, and prepare to feast on a saucy history, fun facts, and ways to celebrate this cheesy masterpiece.

Flatbread Goes From "Peasant Food" to "Plate Royalty"

Before pizza was the globally adored food of dreams, it was a simple snack in Naples, Italy—a meal for peasants who needed something cheap and filling. Imagine the shock on the humble Napolitans' faces if they knew their once unassuming flatbread would one day fuel everything from birthday parties to late-night study sessions. Back in those days, toppings were scarce, with ingredients like tomatoes, anchovies, or even just garlic and oil, making these early pizzas more “Oh, that’s quaint” than “I need that in my mouth right now.”

But then—cue the royal fanfare—comes Queen Margherita of Savoy in 1889. Legend has it, she was feeling a bit peckish and maybe tired of the same old royal feast, so she asked for something different. Enter Raffaele Esposito, a pizzaiolo (which is Italian for “pizza artist”), who crafted a dish in her honor. Tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil were arranged to represent the Italian flag: red, white, and green. Thus, the Margherita pizza was born, proving that even royalty couldn’t resist a good slice. This is probably the first recorded incident of a celebrity endorsement for food.

From these humble, flat beginnings, pizza’s popularity spread across the world like melted mozzarella. It didn’t take long for the United States to jump on the bandwagon. But true to form, America couldn't just enjoy pizza as it was. They had to supersize it. New York-style pizza came in big, foldable slices, perfect for walking, while Chicago created the deep-dish pizza, which is less a pizza and more a casserole in a crust.

Pizza's Worldwide Conquest

Pizza, in its infinite glory, took on different forms as it traveled across borders. In Japan, you’ll find sushi pizza. In Sweden, banana curry pizza exists (and that’s a fact you’ll have to come to terms with). Pizza can be a gourmet meal with fancy toppings like truffle oil or a "clean out the fridge" adventure where leftover chicken, ranch dressing, and possibly pineapple all end up on the same slice.

Whether it's gourmet or guilty pleasure, pizza is so universally loved that if you put a pizza in a room with world leaders, world peace might actually stand a chance. Everyone loves pizza. No exceptions. There’s even a joke floating around that the Bermuda Triangle is just a spot where delivery drivers keep losing pizzas. Totally makes sense, right?

How to Celebrate National Pizza Day

DIY Pizza Party: Feeling adventurous? Host a pizza-making party. Invite friends or family, roll out some dough, and create your own masterpieces. Award points for creativity—bonus points if your pizza gets the Italian seal of disapproval.

Pizza Marathon: Grab a slice from every pizzeria in town. From Margherita to Meat Lovers, try them all. Today, calories don’t count. Tomorrow, you may regret your choices, but on National Pizza Day, regret has no place.

Pizza and Movie Night: Nothing pairs with pizza like a classic movie. Pro tip: Find a pizza-themed film like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles or Mystic Pizza for the ultimate cinematic experience. Every time a character eats pizza, you do too. It’s like a drinking game, but with cheese.

Pay It Forward with Pizza: Spread the love by gifting a pizza to someone in need. Few things can turn someone’s day around faster than free food delivered in a warm, cheesy circle.

Pineapple—Yay or Nay?

This is the great pizza debate that has ruined friendships, sparked countless Twitter wars, and maybe even led to a few food fights: does pineapple belong on pizza? It's a question as old as time—or at least as old as the 1960s, when a bold Canadian restaurant owner first dared to throw pineapple on a pie and called it "Hawaiian." Since then, it's been the source of great division in pizza-loving circles everywhere.

On one side, you have the pineapple lovers—those brave souls who enjoy the sweet contrast of tropical fruit with the savory, salty flavors of ham, bacon, or even pepperoni. They see pineapple as the unexpected guest that makes the party better, adding a burst of flavor that keeps each bite interesting. These people often live on the edge, perhaps throwing caution (and olives) to the wind.

On the other side, you have the purists, who regard pineapple on pizza as a culinary crime, worthy of a serious side-eye. For them, pizza should remain rooted in tradition: tomato sauce, mozzarella, and classic toppings like pepperoni or mushrooms. To these defenders of dough, fruit has no business being anywhere near their pizza slice, unless it’s baked into a pie for dessert. Anchovies? Sure. Pineapple? Over their crispy, golden crusts.

Still, today, on National Pizza Day, there’s room for all kinds of pizza lovers. Whether you’re firmly #TeamPineapple or you refuse to let that yellow fruit anywhere near your pizza, remember that pizza is, above all, about variety and personal taste. So while this debate may rage on for eternity, let’s all agree on one thing: pizza, in all its forms, is the real winner here.

Fun Pizza Facts to Make You Sound Like a Genius

• The World’s Largest Pizza was made in Italy (naturally) and measured a whopping 1261.65 square meters! That’s enough to feed a small country or just a few really hungry college students.

• Every Second, Americans eat approximately 350 slices of pizza. Yes, every second. So even as you read this, there are more people enjoying pizza than you can possibly count.

• The Average American eats about 46 slices of pizza per year. For some, that number sounds modest. For others, it sounds like a personal challenge.

National Pizza Day isn’t just about eating pizza—it’s about celebrating pizza. It's a day to honor this glorious combination of crust, sauce, cheese, and toppings that brings so much joy to our taste buds. Pizza has seen it all—from humble beginnings on the streets of Naples to being the centerpiece of parties, movies, and even debates over toppings. So, raise your slice high and celebrate the day that reminds us that, no matter what life throws at us, we’ll always have pizza. And remember: in a world full of uncertainties, pizza is always the answer.

Please Share our Content