History of Pizza in Timeline

Pizza is a popular Italian dish. It consists of a flat, leavened wheat-based dough topped with tomato, cheese, and various other ingredients. Traditionally, pizza is baked at high temperatures in a wood-fired oven. It is known worldwide and has many regional variations.

1905: Lombardi's Opens in New York City

In 1905, Lombardi's, the first pizzeria in the United States, opened in New York City.

1905: First Pizzeria Opens in the US

In 1905, the first pizzeria in the US opened in New York City's Little Italy.

1984: Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana Founded

In 1984, the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana was founded in Naples to promote traditional Neapolitan pizza.

1997: Pizza Cheese Production in 1997

In 1997, it was estimated that annual production of pizza cheese was 1 million metric tons in the US and 100,000 metric tons in Europe.

2009: Neapolitan Pizza Registered as Traditional Speciality Guaranteed

In 2009, Neapolitan pizza was registered with the European Union as a traditional speciality guaranteed (TSG) dish.

2015: Pizza Consumption in Buenos Aires, 2015

In 2015, Buenos Aires was estimated to consume 14 million pizzas per year, making it one of the world capitals of pizza.

2017: Neapolitan Pizza Making Added to UNESCO List

In 2017, the art of making Neapolitan pizza was included on UNESCO's list of intangible cultural heritage.

2017: World Pizza Market Size in 2017

In 2017, the world pizza market reached US$128 billion, with the US accounting for $44 billion across 76,000 pizzerias. Additionally, 13% of the US population over two years old consumed pizza on any given day.

2023: Pizza-like Fresco Discovered in Pompeii

In 2023, archeologists discovered a fresco in Pompeii appearing to depict a pizza-like dish among other foodstuffs and staples on a silver platter. Italy's culture minister said it "may be a distant ancestor of the modern dish".