May 22 isn’t just another date on the calendar—it’s one of the most iconic days in cryptocurrency history. Known as Bitcoin Pizza Day, this quirky annual celebration honors a seemingly simple exchange that ultimately marked the beginning of Bitcoin’s journey as real-world money. And this year, the celebration is even sweeter (or cheesier), as Bitcoin has hit a new all-time high of $111,861.22, adding a legendary twist to an already legendary day.

The story begins fifteen years ago in Florida. On May 22, 2010, a programmer named Laszlo Hanyecz posted an offer on a Bitcoin forum. He wanted two large pizzas. But instead of paying in cash, he offered 10,000 Bitcoins—a digital currency that most people had never heard of at the time and was worth only a few cents per coin. A fellow forum user took him up on the offer, paid for the pizzas using a credit card, and had them delivered straight to Hanyecz’s door. It was a simple food trade. But it made history.

At the time, those 10,000 Bitcoins were worth about $40. Today, the same amount of BTC is valued at more than $1.07 billion, making it arguably the most expensive meal in history. But Hanyecz wasn’t trying to make headlines or amass wealth. He was making a point—that Bitcoin could be used as real money to buy real things. That pizza purchase was the first documented commercial transaction using Bitcoin, proving the concept behind decentralized digital currency.

Over the years, Bitcoin Pizza Day has grown into a beloved tradition within the crypto community. Every May 22, Bitcoiners around the globe grab a slice of pizza, post their best pizza-themed memes, and pay tribute to that pivotal moment in crypto history. It’s become more than a story about pizza—it’s a symbol of how far Bitcoin has come, from a niche experiment in online forums to a recognized global asset class worth trillions.

This year’s Pizza Day feels especially significant. As Bitcoin hits another all-time high, surpassing $111,000, the timing couldn’t be more poetic. The market is booming, institutional investors are piling in, and governments around the world are grappling with how to regulate and integrate digital assets. The same currency once traded for pizza is now treated as a serious store of value, often compared to gold and used as a hedge against inflation and economic uncertainty.

Laszlo Hanyecz, who now works in software development, has said in past interviews that he doesn’t regret the trade. For him, the pizza deal wasn’t about making or losing money—it was about pushing the idea of Bitcoin forward. Without real-world usage, digital money would have stayed theoretical. Someone had to take the first step, and Hanyecz did it—using pizza.

So whether you’re a hardcore crypto believer, a curious newcomer, or just someone who loves a good origin story, Bitcoin Pizza Day is a moment to appreciate the small decisions that fuel major change. It’s a reminder that revolutions don’t always start with headlines—they can begin with a craving and a couple of slices.