National Pizza Day

National Pizza Day is an annual American celebration dedicated to pizza. Observed every year on February 9, pizza is one of the world’s most popular foods. It’s enjoyed daily but is especially common for corporate gatherings and festive events.

History

Filled flatbreads were the precursors to modern pizza and were popular in ancient Rome, Egypt, and Greece. These flatbreads remained mostly unchanged until the 1800s.

In the early 19th century, many poor residents of Naples worked long, hard hours for little pay. To restore their energy, they made cakes filled with cheese, tomatoes, butter, and other ingredients. This dish, known as lazzaroni, became the foundation for modern pizza.

A major turning point in pizza’s history occurred in 1889, when King Umberto I and Queen Margherita of Italy visited Naples. At a local restaurant, they tried a mozzarella pie now known as “pizza margherita.”

Pizza began to spread across the United States in the 1940s as Italian immigrants arrived. Around this time, pizza started to take its modern form—dough shaped into a round, topped with various ingredients, and baked. Pizza has since become a staple of daily life, celebrated with National Pizza Day!

Interesting Facts

• Papa John’s was the first pizza chain to offer online ordering.
• The world’s largest pizza is the OTTAVIA pizza, with a diameter of 40 meters and a weight of about 9,000 kg.
• In 2006, Romanian C. Dumitru set a world record by eating nearly 91 kg of pizza in one week.

How to Take Part

Gather with friends or family on National Pizza Day and visit a pizzeria to enjoy your favorite slice. You can also host a house party and order a few boxes of pizza. Love to cook? Make your own pizza at home—recipes are easy to find online!

Share the holiday on social media. Ask others which type of pizza is their favorite.

When Is National Pizza Day in 2026?

National Pizza Day is observed on February 9 each year.

Observations