National Pizza with the Works Except Anchovies Day celebrates the joy of fully-loaded pizzas minus the controversial fish topping. This quirky food holiday encourages pizza lovers to indulge in their favorite pie topped with everything – except anchovies.
Quick Facts
- When is it?: November 12
- Tagged as: Food Holiday, Pizza Day
- What’s the hashtag?: #PizzaWithTheWorksDay
- When was it founded?: 2010
- Who founded it?: Unknown
History
The holiday emerged from a common pizza-ordering dilemma where “the works” traditionally included anchovies, despite only 0.003% of Americans preferring this topping. The tradition of anchovy toppings dates back to Ancient Romans who used fermented fish sauce called Garum on their flatbreads.
Timeline
- 1905: First pizza establishment opens in NYC by Gennaro Lombardi
- 1945: WWII soldiers bring Italian pizza recipes to America
- 1987: World’s largest pizza created (44,500 pounds)
- 2010: First official celebration of this holiday
Dates for Coming Years
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Nov 12 | Tuesday |
| 2025 | Nov 12 | Wednesday |
| 2026 | Nov 12 | Thursday |
How It’s Observed
People celebrate by ordering or making pizzas loaded with their favorite toppings like pepperoni, mushrooms, bell peppers, olives, and extra cheese – specifically excluding anchovies. Many pizzerias offer special “works” combinations on this day.
Fun Facts About Pizza
- Americans consume about 350 slices of pizza per second
- The pizza industry generates $37 billion annually
- The first pizza delivery in space happened in 2001
- Only 50 out of 18,000 customers order anchovies
Quiz
- What percentage of Americans choose anchovies on pizza?
- When was the first pizza shop opened in America?
- How many pizza slices does an average American eat yearly?
(Answers: 0.003%, 1905, 46 slices)
FAQs
Q: What typically comes on a “works” pizza?
A: Pepperoni, ham, Italian sausage, ground beef, mushrooms, onions, green peppers, black olives, and extra cheese
Importance of the Day
This holiday celebrates pizza customization while bringing attention to consumer preferences in the pizza industry. It’s a fun way to unite pizza lovers and appreciate the versatility of this beloved dish.
Related Holidays
- National Sausage Pizza Day
- International Beer and Pizza Day
- National Pepperoni Pizza Day
- World Pizza Day