Curious about National Pizza Day? Wondering when it is, what it celebrates, and who started this delicious tradition? You’re in luck! Dive into our blog for all the details and a lively dash of history—it's the fun kind, we promise! Join us as we explore the origins and joys of National Pizza Day. After all, if pizza had its own national anthem, we think it would be to the tune of Katy Perry’s song “Last Friday Night,” but less about Fridays and more about February 9th. Why? Because that is when National Pizza Day is, and it’s the best excuse to eat more pizza (not that we needed one)!
In case you're wondering, National Pizza Day is technically just another quirky holiday like National Pet a Dog Day, National Cookie Day, or National Talk Like a Pirate Day, except this holiday is special because it was invented by pizza fanatics (who can blame them, everyone loves cheese, bread, and sauce). So, February 9th, National Pizza Day, turns a normal day into a perfect pizza party day on the calendar, providing pizza enthusiasts around the globe the perfect opportunity to indulge. But why stop there? National Pizza Day offers a slice of history, a sprinkle of celebration ideas, and a dash of quirky facts to make every bite worth savoring.
So grab a napkin (or four) because it's going to get super saucy!
Pizza Day Origins - A Slice of History
Every love story has a beginning, and the pizza tale is no exception. It all started in Naples, where pizza made its grand debut in the late 18th century (at least, according to some historians). They probably didn’t call it pizza back then, and it was most likely just a flatbread with oil and topping (there were definitely no meat lover’s specials yet). Back then, “pizza” was a simple dish for the poor, topped with ingredients like anchovies, garlic, tomato, and basil - does that combination sound familiar? Fast forward a few wars, some countries merging, and the Italian Queen Margherita, and it's evolved into a global sensation because it turns out that the Italians struck culinary gold.
Here's a quick evolution of pizza and a journey from humble beginnings:
- Italy (The OG Pizza Land): Naples is considered the birthplace of modern pizza, particularly the Margherita pizza, which was crafted in honor of Queen Margherita of Savoy in the 19th century.
- New York (Big Apple, Big Pizza): Italian immigrants brought pizza to New York in the late 19th century, giving birth to the famous New York-style pizza—a thin-crust marvel you can fold and eat on the go.
- Chicago (Deep-Dish Delight): The windy city took pizza in a new direction in the 1940s, creating the deep-dish pizza, which resembles a pie filled with layers of cheese, meat, and tomatoes. This one is a little controversial because some people call it a casserole - we’re not here to fight.
- California (The Creative Craze): Californian chefs, including Wolfgang Puck, experimented with gourmet toppings like artichokes, goat cheese, and truffle oil, giving rise to California-style pizza.
- Hawaiian (The Great Divider): Possibly invented in the 1960s in Canada by a Greek immigrant who ran a pizzeria. This pizza topping choice has divided the world into two types of people: pineapple on pizza versus no pineapple on pizza. This showdown is more controversial than Pepsi versus Coke, Team Edward versus Team Jacob, and Twizzlers versus Red Vines.
Again, we're not here to fight. We love pizza, and we're here to celebrate National Pizza Day! Here are some fun pizza stats to chew on:
- World's Largest Pizza: Guinness World Records reports that the world's largest pizza was made on January 19th, 2023. The pizza was a total size of 13,957.77 square feet and was made in several parts and pieced together.
- Most Expensive Pizza: The most expensive pizza in the world costs $12,000 and requires 72 hours to prepare. The most expensive pizza recognized by the Guinness World Records is $2,700 and made at Industry Kitchen in New York.
- Pizza Day Popularity: Over 5 billion pizzas are sold worldwide each year.
Mark your calendars for February 9th, and never ask, “When is National Pizza Day?” again. Prepare for a celebration like no other. Next up, we'll explore some delectable pizza recipes, so grab your apron and your appetite because we've got a tasty journey ahead!
Recipe Roundup - Classic Pizza Styles and Toppings
Now that we've whetted your appetite with a slice of history, it's time to dig into the good stuff—pizza styles and toppings for your pizza day. Pizza topping combinations are what make some pizzas unique. Whether you're a die-hard traditionalist or a daring flavor adventurer, we've got a list of pizzas for you to think about when celebrating National Pizza Day.
Cheese Pizza (The OG): The classic cheese pizza is the simplest of them all. This pizza is all about the perfect crust and quality cheese ingredients. 7-Eleven's Cheese Pizza is a no-brainer for purists who just want that classic taste. Conveniently grab one of these and savor the simplicity of this pizza OG.
Chicago Deep-Dish Pizza (Go Big or Go Home): As previously mentioned, some people like to call this pizza a casserole, but don’t let any natives hear you say that. If you're ready to dive into pizza paradise, the deep-dish style won't disappoint. Chicago deep-dish pizza is heavy on cheese and sauce. Where is the cheese? It’s under the sauce!
New York-Style Pizza (For When You Want to Fold Your Slice Like a Pro): The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles love pizza in New York for a good reason. New Yorkers take their pizza seriously because the thin-crust sensation is designed for folding and eating on the go on the busy NY streets. 7-Eleven's Classic Pepperoni Pizza is the ultimate grab-and-go solution for anyone craving a convenient slice of New York-style heaven.
Extra Meaty Pizza (For the Carnivores): Meat lovers, rejoice! We’ve heard of the vegan and vegetarian diet, but what about the Carnivore diet? While a 7 Meat Pizza from 7-Eleven doesn’t qualify for a carnivore diet, it’s definitely an honorable mention. With Chicago-style sausage, meaty sausage and beef crumbles, crispy pepperoni, smoky bacon, Canadian Bacon, and diced ham, there’s more meat than you can shake a slice at with 7-Eleven’s awesome meat pizza!
Gluten-Free and Vegan Options (Inclusively is Important): No need to feel left out if you're gluten-free or vegan! There are plenty of options to enjoy pizza your way, most popular options are using gluten-free dough or cauliflower substitutes. Then, you can add sauce and toppings to your pizza however you like.
Celebrate National Pizza Day With A Pizza Party
We’ve touched on a lot of pizza-themed fun facts and history so far because you need to be prepared with information if you’re going to celebrate this National Pizza Day at your next event. Whether you're hosting a cozy gathering with some friends or going all out with a full-blown pizza and beer bash, here are some ideas to make your National Pizza Day party a hit.
DIY Pizza Bar (A Topping Free-for-All)
One of the many great things about pizza is that it can be as complicated or as simple as you want it to be. The origins of the flatbread, sauce, and topping dish are flexible, and there’s no better way to celebrate this pizza day than with a DIY pizza bar! To set up, lay out a variety of toppings, from classic pepperoni and mushrooms to adventurous options like pineapple, jalapeños, canned peas, you name it! Be as creative and weird as you want. Maybe you or your guests will find a new controversial combo to rival Hawaiian!
Aside from the toppings, you can also provide a mix of crusts (traditional, gluten-free, etc.) and sauces (tomato, white, pesto). Final touches can include unique oils, fresh herbs, and flavored salts. Be creative and go nuts for a fun pizza day!
Pizza and Movie Night (Dinner and Entertainment in One)
Maybe you want to leave the pizza-cooking to the professionals. If so, you can still celebrate National Pizza Day with a pizza-themed movie night and a pizza-related movie. Here are some top picks:
- Eat Pray Love: This is a film adaptation of a book about self-discovery, relationships, and a lot of pasta and pizza indulgence in Naples.
- Mystic Pizza: This is a classic film that features the lives of three waitresses at a pizza parlor.
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: This series is about pizza-loving, crime-fighting teenage turtles who love eating pizza!
- Pizza My Heart: A charming take on a Romeo-and-Juliet-esque pizza rivalry.
Pizza Trivia (For the Competitive Crowd)
Last but not least, pizza-themed trivia. Trivia is a crowd-pleasing game designed to test the useless knowledge among peers. You can give pizza trivia a try with pizza-adjacent knowledge like “Who invented pepperonis?”, “How many slices of pizza are eaten every day?”, or “Who invented Hawaiian pizza?” Keep the atmosphere fun with pizza-themed decorations and some background music. Trivial questions are as much fun to research as they are to know, and the winner of your trivia would, of course, win a pizza!
A Slice of Closing Thoughts
National Pizza Day is the ultimate excuse to celebrate everything that makes pizza special, from its rich history to the endless variety of styles and toppings. We’ve covered a lot in this blog, from tracing pizza’s journey across continents to providing delectable recipe ideas and fun pizza party planning tips.
Whether you're a pizza purist who enjoys the simplicity of a Cheese Pizza or an adventurous eater ready to dive into the meaty depths of 7-Eleven's 7 Meat Pizza, there's something for everyone to savor on this nationally acclaimed holiday celebration.
Find amazingly delicious pizza at 7-Eleven to celebrate a pizza day, any day. Want to get to your nearest 7-Eleven? Download the app!
