National Pizza With The Works Except Anchovies Day is a holiday with a name that’s quite a mouthful, but it does seem to sum up the feeling that many of us have about eating pizzas with anchovies. When a person says “the works,” they usually mean every pizza topping available at a particular pizza parlor, but many people will draw the line at those little salty fish known as anchovies.

It’s estimated that 76% of pizza eaters dislike anchovies on their pizza. So if you like your pizza without the little fish, then you might want to observe this holiday on November 12th every year.

The History Of Pizza

Most historians believe that the precursor to modern pizza was a flatbread known to ancient Romans as “panis focacius” or focaccia, as we would know it today. They would top the bread with oil and herbs and enjoy it that way—sometimes with goat cheese and sometimes without it.

Of course, the ancient Romans weren’t the only people to bake flatbreads that were topped with various ingredients. For example, in ancient Persia during the 6th century, soldiers would bake flatbreads on top of their shields and then top them with dates and cheese.

Over the years, various cultures around the world continued making flatbreads that were topped with cheeses and other ingredients. But it was during the 16th century that modern pizza really began to take its current form.

It was at this time that a galette flatbread was first referred to as a pizza in 16th-century Naples. This dish was served as street food and for a long time, it was considered to be peasant food. Then in 1889, something miraculous happened.

The Neapolitan pizzamaker Raffaele Esposito created a special pizza in honor of the Queen consort of Italy, Margherita of Savoy. This pizza was made with mozzarella, basil, and tomatoes to represent the national colors of the Flag of Italy.

This was the turning point when pizza began to really gain popularity in Italy and became more than just “peasant food.” In the United States, Italian immigrants began to make pizzas in cities with large Italian populations such as New York, Chicago, St. Louis, and Philadelphia.

However, it wasn’t extremely popular with the general population. The popularity of pizza really took off with troops returning from WWII after having discovered Italian pizza. These veterans wanted pizza, and it was this demand that drove the creation of pizza parlors all over the U.S.

Observing National Pizza With The Works Except Anchovies Day

All anyone who wants to observe this holiday has to do is order their pizza with everything except for those little fish. We’re sorry if you’re a fan of anchovies, then you just don’t get to enjoy this holiday. We don’t make the rules.

While you’re enjoying your anchovy-less pizza, be sure to tell everyone about this holiday using the hashtag #NationalPizzaWithTheWorksExceptAnchoviesDay. And make sure to get some extra onions on your pizza for us.