Bitcoin Pizza Day, Satosh Bears, ZiGi and Whatabear You Love!

Autor: Şelale Malkoçoğlu | Date: 05/16/2024

The historic purchase made from Papa John's back in May 2010, which we'll be celebrated once again in less than a week, didn't just spark memes and jokes about the most expensive pizza ever. It became a meaningful symbol for the entire bitcoin community, a date cherished annually worldwide. I've put together some printables to a new flavor to this year's Pizza Day gatherings, while also sparking curiosity about Bitcoin among youngsters and their parents, extending well beyond this occasion.

Before we get any further: In this particular piece, I'm not really concerned with whether Laszlo Hanyecz fully understood the importance of his action in proving bitcoin's transactional power or simply attempted to gauge reactions by offering to exchange some of his wealth for pizza. The fact is, on May 22, 2010, 10,000 BTC were paid for two boxes from Papa John's, and that transaction not only became the basis for numerous discussions, and threads over the past 14 years but, most importantly, it marked the first commercial payment in Bitcoin and proof of its usability as a monetary tool.

Whether Hanyecz truly craved pizza or used his bitcoin for such stuff as a joke, he took some effort and actually was not acting alone. Many people may not know how Laszlo bought his pizzas. It wasn't as simple as for us today using Lightning Network for instant transactions. And by the way, in February 2018, he tried his chance again, actually ordering pizzas using LN but that’s another story… For now, let’s get back to 2010.

On May 18th he posted on Bitcoin.org that he wanted to exchange his coins for a couple of pizzas. Another Bitcoin user accepted his offer and paid in fiat for two Papa John's boxes, which were then exchanged for those 10,000 BTC from Hanyecz. It wasn't too easy at that time but it worked.  A peer-to-peer deal, Bitcoin payment for two large pizzas — the first commercial transaction.

Youth + Bitcoin = a better future!

Take a moment to reflect on the iconic photo where Laszlo proudly displays the two pizzas bought with bitcoin... Zoom in. Look at the children.

There's a reason why I mention this, and it makes me think deeply about the present and future rather than dwelling on the past and Hanyecz's reasons for buying those pizzas.

Fourteen years ago, perhaps for Laszlo's family, that moment was merely about having some time together, while for the world at large, it often appears peculiar — 'how could someone spend so much money on just pizza?

Nowadays many children, teens, and especially adults consider bitcoin transactions to be normal. In fact, for many of them, dealing with fiat currency already seems strange, if not downright bizarre.

Do you get my point?

That's what truly fascinates me about this story! The remarkable progress and the groundwork we're laying for both current and future generations! Just think —from two pizzas to a global micro-economy covering not just food, but also jobs, services, fundraising, donations, and who knows what else is yet to come.

Focusing solely on goods, within a mere 14 years, we've arrived at a juncture where bitcoin can let you purchase nearly anything. Borderless transactions, empowering so many individuals — completely unbanked or deceived by never-ending inflation. Not only does it showcase the brilliance of Satoshi's innovation (or discovery, as I prefer to term it) but also captures its essence as money. People's money — reliable, fair, transparent and fully decentralized. Undoubtedly, one of the greatest things that happened in the entire human history.

Believing in the potential of children to shape the future, in my free time, I'm trying to do a few things to spread the importance of financial and personal freedom to the next generation. Today, I'd like to share a few of my tools with you while injecting more fun into celebrating the 14th Bitcoin Pizza Day for the young ones.

Meet ZiGi, one of the 21 Satosh Bears, who’s a big fan of...
Bitcoin and Pizza!

Here are selected pages from my workbook that can be enjoyed by kiddos who are already familiar with bitcoin and those who are completely new to the topic. The whole book, titled WHATABEAR YOU LOVE, was actually created more as an orange-pilling tool, intended to gently introduce kids, their families, and friends to the world of sound money without putting too much 'pressure' on pure Bitcoin itself. But rather by incorporating its values through logos, symbols and fun stories but also something I find being the core of bitcoin culture — logical thinking, personal experiences and learning in our own speed.

ZiGi, the main character of these worksheets, has his own unique story to tell, which not only teaches but also brings fun.

These six pages can be easily printed at home using any regular printer, whether in black-and-white or color. Use them to inspire younger generations or as an extra touch to your celebrations on May 22. The goal is to get kids hooked not just on Bitcoin and the Pizza Day, but also on the most precious thing that many of us seem to be losing these days... Taking a break from the digital world for a moment and simply experiencing the joy of real-life interactions. Reading stories, discussing them, making jokes, coloring and decorating a simple sheet of paper, and maybe even getting inspired to cook together — making your own pizza every May.

Imagination has no bounds if we know how to spark it.

Enjoy some fun before, during, and after the Bitcoin Pizza Day!

Bitcoin gets beyond single dates... no matter how significant they may be.

BTC Your Mind. Let It Beat…

Şela