The City of Baltimore was home to an NBA franchise from the original Baltimore Bullets 1944-1954 when the franchise folded on November 27, 1954. The NBA came back to the city with the Baltimore Bullets from 1963-1973. The franchise then became the Capital Bullets during the 1973-74 season & then became the Washington Bullets from 1974-1997. The team changed its name to the Washington Wizards in 1997.
In 1972 Isaiah 'Ike' Dixon the State Delegate from Baltimore presented legislation to change Harbor City Boulevard to the current Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. MLK Jr. Blvd is major road that connects and also divide the west-side of downtown to the west-side of city residents.
During the Spring of 2012 Baltimore-area businessman Derrick E. Vaughan wanted to honor the corner of MLK Jr. Blvd & Pratt Street with a ceremonial street sign. He saw that corner as an entrance to something special and called it The Wine'tastic Mile of Baltimore. On December 12, 2012 (12-12-12) at 12:00PM the ceremonial sign was unveiled for The Wine'tastic Mile . He was the owner of restaurant and wine bar that was 1/2 block away from MLK Jr. Blvd.
After meeting with members of various agencies associated with the city at City Hall (Mayor's Office) he decided to change the honorary name from The Wine'tastic Mile to The Charm'tastic Mile of Baltimore. The Charm'tastic Mile was more befitting since Baltimore was known as "Charm City" a nickname that was chosen in 1975 by then Mayor William Donald Schaefer.
On April 25, 2015 the City of Baltimore experienced a day of unrest that resulted in rioting and looting that cast a dark and bad image to the city. National reporters, publications & TV stations came to broadcast the violence and protesting that had erupted.
One year later on April 25, 2016 The Charm'tastic Mile was officially introduced to the city. April 25th was also the same date that the famous Domino Sugars (4-25-1951) neon sign was unveiled.
April 25th is also the birthday of the 5th NBA Commissioner Adam Silver who was born April 25, 1962. Mr. Silver has been NBA Commissioner since February 2014. He has been with NBA since 1992. He is very respected and highly regarded as one of the best Commissioners of the 4 major sport leagues.
Mr. Ike Dixon the man that introduced the legislature to change Harbor City Blvd. to MLK Jr. Blvd. passed away on April 26, 2013. He will always be remembered for his contributions to the city and the state. His passing one-day later on the calendar year to the introduction of The Charm'tastic Mile is a link that will live forever.
MLK Jr. Blvd & Pratt Street is the entrance to The Charm'tastic Mile of Baltimore but it also represents a "Dream" that was inspired by the "I Have A Dream" that we all can be united by spirit, love & humanity.
