National Pizza Day is observed every year on February 9. It celebrates one of America’s most popular foods in all its varieties, from thin crust and New York slices to Chicago-style deep dish. Unlike some food holidays, National Pizza Day has no documented founder or establishing proclamation; it is carried each year by pizzerias, brands, and enthusiastic fans.
When is National Pizza Day?
National Pizza Day falls on February 9 each year. The date is fixed to the calendar rather than a specific weekday, so it recurs on the same day annually and often shares the date with several other food observances.
Who founded National Pizza Day?
The origins are unclear. National Day Calendar notes that it continues researching the day’s history and that the mystery remains, with no founder, proclamation, or first-observance record identified. In other words, it is an undocumented American food day that spread through the pizza industry and popular custom rather than through any official act.
Why is pizza so popular?
Pizza is a staple of American eating, valued for its variety and convenience. A few widely cited industry figures illustrate its reach:
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Most popular topping | Pepperoni, on about 36 percent of pies ordered |
| Annual sales | Over 3 billion pizzas sold in the United States |
| Early pizzerias | Antica Pizzeria opened in Naples in 1738; Lombardi’s opened in New York in 1895 |
How can you celebrate National Pizza Day?
Celebrations are simple and delicious. Popular options include ordering from a favorite local pizzeria, baking a pie at home, or trying an unfamiliar style or topping. Many restaurants and chains mark the day with promotions, making February 9 a natural time to gather friends or family around a shared pizza.
What are the main styles of pizza?
Part of what National Pizza Day celebrates is pizza’s remarkable variety. A few of the best-known styles show how much the dish can change from place to place:
| Style | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Neapolitan | Thin, soft crust with simple toppings, baked quickly at high heat |
| New York | Large, foldable thin-crust slices |
| Chicago deep dish | Thick, tall crust holding layers of cheese and sauce |
| Sicilian | Thick, rectangular crust with a chewy base |
Where did pizza come from?
Modern pizza traces its roots to Naples, Italy, where flatbreads topped with simple ingredients were a food of the common people. According to industry lore cited by National Day Calendar, the Antica Pizzeria opened in Naples in 1738, and pizza later crossed the Atlantic with Italian immigrants. Lombardi’s, often called the first pizzeria in the United States, opened in New York City in 1895. From there the dish spread nationwide and evolved into the many regional styles enjoyed today.
Why does National Pizza Day matter without an official founder?
The lack of a documented origin has not slowed the day’s popularity. Food holidays like this one often gain momentum through repetition, media coverage, and business promotions rather than any formal proclamation. Because pizza is so widely loved, February 9 gives pizzerias, brands, and fans a shared reason to celebrate, and that collective enthusiasm keeps the observance alive year after year even without a single organizer behind it.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is National Pizza Day
It is observed every year on February 9.
Who founded National Pizza Day
No founder or first observance has been documented; its origins remain unverified.
What does National Pizza Day celebrate
It celebrates pizza in all its styles and its popularity in American food culture.
What is the most popular pizza topping
Pepperoni, which appears on roughly 36 percent of pizzas ordered.
How can you celebrate National Pizza Day
By ordering from a local pizzeria, making pizza at home, or trying a new style or topping.