Bitcoin Pizza Day is celebrated on May 22nd each year and marks an important milestone in the history of Bitcoin. It commemorates the first documented real-world transaction involving Bitcoin, which took place on May 22, 2010.
The story behind Bitcoin Pizza Day goes back to the early days of Bitcoin when it was a relatively new and little-known digital currency. At the time, Bitcoin was primarily used and traded among a small community of enthusiasts.
On May 18, 2010, a Bitcoin Talk forum user named "laszlo" posted a message offering 10,000 bitcoins in exchange for someone ordering him two pizzas. The post read:
"I'll pay 10,000 bitcoins for a couple of pizzas... maybe 2 large ones, so I have some left over for the next day. I like having leftover pizza to nibble on later. You can make the pizza yourself and bring it to my house or order it for me from a delivery place, but what I'm aiming for is getting food delivered in exchange for bitcoins where I don't have to order or prepare it myself."
Laszlo's offer gained attention, and a fellow Bitcoin Talk forum user named "jercos" decided to take him up on it. Jercos agreed to order the pizzas for Laszlo using his credit card, and in return, Laszlo transferred 10,000 bitcoins to him.
On May 22, 2010, the transaction was completed when jercos placed an order with Papa John's for two pizzas to be delivered to Laszlo's address. The total cost of the pizzas was around $25.
At the time of the transaction, the value of 10,000 bitcoins was not significant. Bitcoin was still in its early stages, and its value was relatively low compared to today. However, as Bitcoin gained popularity and its price skyrocketed in the following years, the significance of the transaction became evident.
Bitcoin Pizza Day gained recognition within the cryptocurrency community as a symbol of the early adoption and real-world use of Bitcoin. It serves as a reminder of the immense value that those 10,000 bitcoins would have held in later years.
Today, Bitcoin Pizza Day is celebrated by Bitcoin enthusiasts worldwide. It serves as a lighthearted reminder of the humble beginnings of Bitcoin and highlights the remarkable journey it has taken since that first documented transaction for two pizzas.