Six Gallery Reading: October 7, 1955

The Beat Generation exploded into public consciousness on October 7, 1955, at the Six Gallery in San Francisco. Allen Ginsberg took the stage to perform 'Howl' for the first time, his voice building to a prophetic roar as he chanted his indictment of American society. Jack Kerouac, too nervous to read his own work, stood in the back shouting 'Go! Go! Go!' as Ginsberg reached the poem's climactic passages. The reading also featured Gary Snyder, Michael McClure, and Philip Whalen.

• Ginsberg's first public performance of 'Howl'

• Kerouac famously shouted encouragement from audience

• Gary Snyder represented West Coast Buddhist influence

• Event marked Beats' emergence from underground