National Pizza Day

National Pizza Day is celebrated each year on February 9. The observance does not have a single documented founder and appears to have developed organically over time. It highlights the wide range of pizza styles enjoyed today, from traditional Neapolitan pizza to American regional styles such as New York–style, Chicago deep-dish, and Detroit-style pizza.

🍕 If you’re looking for more pizza-themed celebrations, we’ve put together a curated list of pizza holidays, covering everything from classic cheese and sausage pizzas to regional varieties like deep-dish styles.

A Slice of Pizza History

Pizza as it is known today developed in Naples in the late 1800s, when tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil were combined into what became known as Pizza Margherita, a style associated with the colors of the Italian flag and now celebrated with its own day on June 11. This version is often considered the first modern pizza. Long before that, many cultures prepared flatbreads topped with ingredients, including those found in ancient Greek, Middle Eastern, and Roman food traditions.

Pizza’s spread beyond Italy accelerated after World War II, particularly in the United States. American soldiers returning from Italy helped introduce pizza to a wider American audience by seeking out and recreating the food they had enjoyed overseas. As pizza grew in popularity, it adapted to regional tastes, leading to the distinct styles found across the country today.

When is National Pizza Day Celebrated?

National Pizza Day is observed each year on February 9. Because the date is fixed, it falls on a different day of the week each year, which can be helpful to note when planning meals, promotions, or themed content.

Did You Know? Facts About Pizza

Pizza’s role in American culture extends beyond restaurants and home cooking. These facts highlight lesser-known parts of pizza’s American story.

• America’s first pizzeria served workers, not tourists. Lombardi’s began operating in New York City in 1905 as a grocery store selling tomato pies mainly to Italian factory workers, often wrapped in paper and eaten on the job.

• Frozen pizza was developed in the United States. The first commercially successful frozen pizzas appeared in the 1950s, making it possible for families to prepare pizza at home rather than ordering it from restaurants.

• Pizza Margherita honors a real person. The Margherita pizza was named after Queen Margherita, who reportedly enjoyed the dish during a visit to Naples in 1889.

• School lunches helped normalize pizza. In the 1960s and 1970s, pizza became common in U.S. school cafeterias, shaping generations’ food experiences and reinforcing pizza as an everyday meal.

• The world’s largest pizza was made in the U.S. In 2023, YouTuber Airrack partnered with Pizza Hut to create a pizza covering 13,990 square feet. After setting the record, the pizza was donated to charities in Los Angeles.

• Pizza sales reach massive numbers. An estimated 3 billion pizzas are sold in the United States each year, reflecting how deeply pizza is woven into American eating habits.

How People Celebrate National Pizza Day

National Pizza Day offers so many tasty ways to participate.

• Many enthusiasts celebrate by visiting their favorite local pizzerias or hosting make-your-own pizza nights at home. Both classic combinations and newer trends show up on the table, from hot honey drizzles and pickle pizza to high-protein or cauliflower-crust options for health-conscious diners.

• Larger chains sometimes join in with limited-time offers, so people often keep an eye on Domino’s, Pizza Hut, and Papa Johns for special deals, while local shops may run their own promotions.

• Others celebrate by trying a different regional style, such as New York thin crust, Chicago deep dish, or Detroit-style square pizza, or by experimenting with new toppings at home.

• Many also share photos, opinions, and favorite slices online using the hashtag #NationalPizzaDay.