1099: Crusading Europeans seize Jerusalem. I wouldn’t want to mess with these guys!
![Alphonse-Marie-Adolphe de Neuville [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons](http://www.teammarcopolo.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Godfrey_of_Bouillon_and_leaders_of_the_first_crusade.gif)
Alphonse-Marie-Adolphe de Neuville [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
History Schmistory, July 15: Roc-King Out!
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
1799 – The Rosetta Stone was found in the Egyptian village of Rosetta by French Captain Pierre-François Bouchard during Napoleon’s Egyptian Campaign. It unfortunately did not give them the ability learn a new language online. It did however have three different languages written on it (Greek, Demotic & Hieroglyphic!)
Before internet was invented…
History Schmistory, July 14: Hooray for Bastille Day!
Monday, July 14, 2025
1789 Today is Bastille Day. The French Revolution began with the fall of Bastille. Aujourd’hui, nous celebrons notre liberte!
Magnifique
CC0 Public Domain
History Schmistory July 13: Cookin’ Up The Resolution
Sunday, July 13, 2025
1772 – Captain James Cook began his 2nd voyage, this time to the South Seas. He commanded a ship called the Resolution & although was able to retire after this voyage, couldn’t resolve his need for adventure.
This cook is not burnt out yet!
Countdown to Bastille Day!
Saturday, July 12, 2025
You say you want a revolution? Â OK–you got it. Â 2 days to Bastille Day!
History Schmistory, July 11: Pons Comet Pun
Friday, July 11, 2025
1801 – French astronomer Jean-Louis Pons discovered his 1st comet. He then went on to discover 36 more. Jeez louise!
I see one…two….three…four….
History Schmistory, July 10: A New’d Way To Do Things.
Thursday, July 10, 2025
1040 – Lady Godiva rode naked on horseback to force her husband, the Earl of Mercia, to lower taxes. I am sure her husband wished they could have kept their disagreement covered up.
Some women really know how to prove a point!
History Schmistory, July 8: Bonjour, Paris!
Thursday, July 10, 2025
951 – Paris was founded. At the time, it was occupied by the Germanic Franks. Thankfully they came up with an awesome name for the city — it could have been a bratwurst.
Paris sure used to occur a lot of Germs!
History Schmistory, July 9: Hear Yee, Hear Yee! Yo, LISTEN UP!
Wednesday, July 9, 2025
1776Â –Â Declaration of Independence was read to George Washington’s troops in New York. I am sure some must have wondered why they were still following the leader after they were told they were free. Â After all, they now had the unalienable right to life which war could take away.
![Washington and Lafayette look over the troops at Valley Forge. [public domain]](http://www.teammarcopolo.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Washington_and_Lafayette_at_Valley_Forge.jpg)
Washington and Lafayette look over the troops at Valley Forge. [public domain]
Where Did Pizza Come From?
Tuesday, July 8, 2025
Who doesn’t love pizza? The combination of cheese, bread, sauce and toppings is magnifico! You can eat it with pepperoni, vegetables or with little fishies on them! But that’s just getting weird…
However, that’s not how pizza was originally eaten. It all started with the early Greeks who made flat breads and spread them with oil, herbs and spices. These early pizzas reached Rome, Egypt and Babylon. Eventually flat bread found its way to Italy where it was sold in markets during the 18th century. They were served plain since they were cheap, and sold to the poor throughout Naples. In 1830 the “first true pizzeria”, Antica Pizzeria Port’ Alba, opened in Naples and still exists today!
Queen Margherita
But here comes the good part. In 1889, baker Raffaele Esposito of Napoli (Naples) baked a pizza for Queen Marghertia and her husband Umberto I. The pizza resembled the Italian flagwith red tomato, mozzarella cheese and fresh green basil. The Queen automatically fell in love with the meal, despite it being peasant food. Pizza spread throughout Italy and several variations were made in different parts of the country. But it didn’t stop at Italy. The invention spread throughout France, England, Spain and eventually to America.
Pizza made its way to America with the Italian immigrants. However, it wasn’t popular in America until American soldiers had a taste of it in Italy. When the soldiers returned home after World War II they craved the delectable meal and made the pizza industry boom. It was in the US that ground beef, bacon sausage, peppers and the like were added on pizza.
Margherita Pizza
There is now a World Pizza Day in its home, Naples. There are guidelines for this festival but they are laid down by the city’s Real Neapolitan Pizza Association(Yes, it even has its own association!) In addition, Esposito’s Brandi Pizzeria is still run by his descendants. Talk about a successful family business! Now that you are hungry and craving pizza…next time you’re in Italy remember to stop by Naples and pay homage to the creator of the world famous meal!
Sources:
http://www.pizzanapoletana.org/index_eng.php
http://www.inmamaskitchen.com/FOOD_IS_ART/pizzahistory.html
http://www.osiaglnw.org/the%20history%20of%20pizza.pdf
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/462475/pizza
http://www.italymag.co.uk/italy/campania/italy-unveils-world-pizza-day
http://www.lifeinitaly.com/food/pizza-history.asp
