January 4 is National Spaghetti Day.

It happens to fall on a Sunday this year—but in Boston’s North End, Wednesday is Prince Spaghetti Day. If you don’t get the reference, watch this award-winning commercial:

“Wednesday is Prince Spaghetti Day” commercial (1969)

‘Anthony! Anthony!’

Anthony Martignetti lives in Boston, in the Italian North End—the home of the Prince Spaghetti Company…Most days, Anthony takes his time going home. But today is Wednesday. And in the North End of Boston, Wednesday is Prince Spaghetti Day.

Anthony Martignetti was cast in the Prince spaghetti ad in 1969 at age 12. This article tells how Martignetti happened to be cast, and catches up with him 40 years later. And here’s a photo gallery showing grown-up Martignetti and the woman who played his mother. (That’s right, it wasn’t his real mother!)

Also, find out what Martignetti thinks about the new “Anthony” commercial, in which someone else plays him as an adult. Spoiler: He’s not a fan.

Related articles

• National Spaghetti Day (punchbowl.com)