79 AD In the ashes of Pompeii, evidence is later found of a flat flour cake
that was baked and widely eaten at that time in Pompeii and in nearby
Neopolis, the Greek colony that became Naples. Also found were shops
complete with marble slabs and other tools of the trade which resemble the conventional pizzeria. The Museo Nazionale at Naples displays a statue from Pompeii which because of it¹s stance is called "pizzaiolo".

1522 Tomatoes were brought back to Europe from the New World (Peru) by the Spanish. Originally thought to be poisonous, the poorer people of Naples added the tomatoes to their yeast dough and created the first simple pizza as we know it. All of Italy proclaimed the Neapolitan pies to be the best.

17th century Pizza has achieved a local popularity among visitors to Naples who would venture into the poorer sections to taste this peasant dish made by men called "pizzaioli".

1809 The first "true" pizzeria with seating, prior to this pizzerias were
all street stalls. Antica Pizzeria Port Alba is still open today in Naples.

1889 Umberto I, King of Italy, and Queen Margherita di Savoia, are in
Naples on holiday. They call to their palace the most popular of the
pizzaioli, Raffaele Esposito, to taste his specialties. He prepares three
kinds, but it is the pizza with mozzarella, basil and tomatoes (in the
colors of the Italian flag) that the Queen like best. He names the pizza
after the Queen, and calls it "Pizza Margherita". This pizza sets the
standard by which today¹s pizza evolved as well as firmly establishing
Naples as the pizza capitol of the world. The Queen sends him a thank you letter, which is on display at the pizzeria, now called "Pizzeria Brandi".

1945 American G.I.s stationed in Italy during World War II bring home a
taste for pizza back to the United States.

1995 With "pizza" exploding around the world, the original purity and
quality standards are becoming lost outside Naples. Concerned pizzaioli
band together and create the "Associazione Vera Pizza Napoletana". This
organization is dedicated to preserving the history, quality and techniques
of authentic Neapolitan pizza around the world.

1998 To cement their efforts, the European Union grants "D.O.C."
governmental status to the pizzaioli and their exacting standards.

2003 Pizzeria Piccola opens in Wisconsin and is dedicated to presenting
authentic, Neapolitan-style pizza!