6th February, 1958

Tomorrow marks the 52nd anniversary of the Munich Air Disaster that killed 8 Manchester United players and 3 club officials.  The team was returning from Belgrade, where they were playing in the European Championships.  Leaving Munich, the plane crashed on takeoff, killing 23 total.  Known as the Busby Babes, as they were coached by Sir Matt Busby, the team was one of the most promising in the history of Manchester United. 
Sir Bobby Charlton, United legend and current director, was one of the survivors.
This is the video link of the first BBC report about the crash...

http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid={B4CEE8FA-9A47-47BC-B069-3F7A2F35DB70}&newsid=27541

"The '58 crash is like (US president) John F Kennedy getting killed in November ’63. It’s one of those dates in history for which people can tell you exactly where they were when they heard the news.”

- former United player Pat Crerand

The lost promise of the Busby Babes was emotionally devastating to the club, but it didn't destroy it.  The disaster and rebuilding of the team showed the grittiness of United; that it can't be held down.  The team today still holds true to that philosophy.  Former United star and current AC Milan/LA Galaxy player David Beckham put it best in a recent interview:
"...we scored so many great goals, many of them last minute. But that is just Manchester United – it doesn’t matter which players are involved, you always believe you can win. You might be 2-0 down with a few minutes to go, but the players and the manager never stop believing. That’s just the way the club is."

Sir Bobby Charlton with his 1966 European Footballer of the Year award

Sir Bobby Charlton, who became a United legend, gave a sobering account of the crash and aftermath to MUTV.
He tells of United's dominance in England and Europe and how the crash made the club start over from scratch.  Sir Matt told them it would be 5 years before they would win a major trophy...and they did.  In 1968 when they hoisted the European Cup, the team's renaissance was complete.
But for Charlton the loss of his fellow players was hard to forget, especially Duncan Edwards.  The 21-yr-old half-back was very close to Charlton and even served in the army with him.  Of Edwards, Charlton said,
"He is the only player who has ever made me feel inferior."
Here is Charlton's interview: 
http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid={B4CEE8FA-9A47-47BC-B069-3F7A2F35DB70}&newsid=527652

How does United remember the crash?  A clock at Old Trafford marks the exact time of the accident.  It is a chilling reminder of the past, but also a testament to United's mettle.  Many trophies and accolades have been won since the Busby Babes put Manchester United on the world map, and the players today carry that banner proudly.  During the 50th anniversary match, the players wore exact replicas of the 1958 kits (see Cristiano below).  When they play Portsmouth tomorrow for the 52nd, the players will be wearing black armbands in remembrance of Walter Crickmer, Tom Curry, Burt Whalley, Eddie Colman, Roger Byrne, Geoff Bent, Mark Jones, David Pegg, Tommy Taylor, Billy Whelan, and Duncan Edwards.
"and the Reds go marching on on on."

Cristiano wearing the '58 kit during the 2008 match