History of Pizza in Timeline

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

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 US Pizzeria Opens

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

1984: AVPN founded in Naples

In 1984, The Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana, a non-profit organization, was founded with headquarters in Naples. It aims to promote traditional Neapolitan pizza.

1997: Pizza cheese production volumes

In 1997, it was estimated that the 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 TSG dish

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

2015: Buenos Aires pizza consumption statistics

In 2015, Buenos Aires had the highest consumption of pizzas in the world estimated at 14 million per year, making the city one of the world capitals of pizza.

2017: Neapolitan pizza making recognized by UNESCO

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

2017: UNESCO recognizes Neapolitan pizza making

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

2017: World pizza market reaches $128 billion

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

2023: Fresco depicting pizza-like dish discovered in Pompeii

In 2023, archeologists discovered a fresco in Pompeii which appeared 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".