History of Pizza in Timeline

Pizza is a popular Italian dish originating from Naples. It's characterized by a flat, leavened wheat-based dough topped with ingredients like tomato and cheese. Traditionally, it's baked at high temperatures in a wood-fired oven.

1905: Lombardi's, the first Pizzeria, opened in New York City

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

1905: Opening of first US pizzeria

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

1984: Founding of the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana

In 1984, the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana ('True Neapolitan Pizza Association') was founded in Naples to promote traditional Neapolitan pizza.

1997: Estimated annual production of pizza cheese

In 1997, the estimated 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 (TSG) dish

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

2015: Estimated consumption of pizzas in Buenos Aires

In 2015, the estimated consumption of pizzas in Buenos Aires was 14 million per year, which led the city to be considered one of the world capitals of pizza.

2017: Art of making Neapolitan pizza included on UNESCO's list

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

2017: World pizza market valued at US$128 billion

In 2017, the world pizza market reached US$128 billion, with the US market 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: Discovery of pizza-like dish fresco in Pompeii

In 2023, archeologists discovered a fresco in Pompeii that appears to depict a pizza-like dish among other foodstuffs on a silver platter. Italy's culture minister suggested it might be a distant ancestor of the modern dish.