Published by 
When I first saw the picture above I was certain it was nothing more than a clever use of photoshop. I was just heading home from school at the Junior College and I saw it posted on the bulletin board in one of my teacher’s classrooms. My professor noticed me looking at it and walked over. “Amazing isn’t it?” He asked. “Yeah.” I replied. “Computer technology makes for some pretty creative things.” “What are you talking about?” He asked, genuinely puzzled. “I took this photo at the running of the bulls.” I laughed, but I too was a little confused. This professor in particular was never one to joke. “The running of the bulls? That’s a Spanish tradition!” “It is now.” He said. “Because the Spanish stole it from the Venetians.”
After some personal research I found out that this was, in fact, the truth. The Venetian running of the bulls began in 736 A.D. with Pope Clement VII. Clement was born in Venice, Italy in 696. Clement’s family owned a large plantation; complete with cattle, horses, pigs, and many large fields with various plants. Clement enjoyed this life, but once he was declared as the new pope he was required to stay in the Vatican for the majority of his time. At first he was able to handle it, but as time passed he missed his farm more and more. He wanted to visit more, but the council of cardinals would not allow it without a legitimate reason.
Thus, Clement conducted a secret meeting with old friends in Venice. Together they devised a moment of “revelation” wherein Clement would announce to the Christian world that God demanded a sport in honor of the world’s bulls. Though many were skeptical, the absolute authority of the Pope could not be denied. It was believed Venice would be the best place to hold this event because it was a crossroads for trade at the time.
The first running of the bulls was set into place by these conditions. The bulls were to roam freely down the streets chasing men and women as symbolism for man’s everlasting pursuit of the Lord. Unfortunately, just before the first event tragedy struck. A little known fact is that prior to 736 Venice was actually one of the driest places in all of Italy. The “river roads” which are so well known today were unimaginable at the time. The rivers were formed when a massive flood nearly destroyed the entire city late in the Spring of 736. Clement was overwhelmed when he received the news and went into personal mourning in the Vatican. Some of his close friends knew how sad this made him and planned the greatest engineering marvel of the time. Down the road the bulls were to run Venetian masons constructed a “water-walk” made from planks of wood rising from the river floor. The first running of the bulls went through that Summer.
Over the years the running of the bulls became increasingly popular. Even after Clement’s death only ten years later it carried on. Interestingly enough the tradition ended in Venice at the hand of a different Pope. Pope Carlos III of Spain, seeking to increase the glory of his own nation, officially moved the tradition to Madrid in 1129, the location it has been held at since. Only recently in 2006 did the running return to its origin when University of Venice students decided to hold one as a cultural project. The project was met with overwhelming success and has increased in popularity dramatically. The next running, to be held July 7th in 2009, is expected to gather revenues in excess of 16.5 million. The Venetians will finally receive their dues for their groundbreaking wonder of the sporting world.
You’re silly.