Americans eat billions of slices of pizza each year; the annual per capita pizza consumption is 23 pounds.

Saturday night is the biggest night of the week for eating pizza.

America's favorite pizza topping: pepperoni.

America's least favorite pizza topping: anchovies.

Americans eat 90 acres of pizza per day.

During TV news broadcasts, most pizza is ordered during the weather, and the delivery folks report that women are better tippers!

Post Columbus - Tomatoes were brought back to Europe from the New World. Originally they were thought to be poisonous, but later became accepted and added to pizza.

In the 16th century - Maria Carolina, the Queen of Naples convinced her husband, King Ferdinand IV to allow the peasant dish pizza to be made in the royal oven.

In 1889 Raffaele Esposito, the most famous PIZZAIOLO (pizza chef) created a pie for Queen Margherita - tomato, basil and cheese, (to resemble the Italian flag) which remains the basis for American pizza.

In 1905 - 1st US Pizzeria opens in New York City at 53 1/2 Spring St.

In 1945 - Soldiers returning from WWII brought with them a taste for certain foods--pizza was at the top of their list.