Pizza originated in ancient civilizations like Greece and Egypt, but the modern version is traced to an 1889 creation by Raffaele Esposito in Italy. It gained popularity in other countries after World War II when soldiers were exposed to pizza in Italy. Today, pizza is one of the most popular foods in the United States, where it is commonly eaten at parties, family gatherings, and as a regular dinner. Pizza toppings have also become more diverse beyond traditional options like pepperoni and sausage.