1915: Born Eleanor Fagan in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
1920s: Moved to New York City with her mother, began singing in local clubs, and adopted the stage name "Billie Holiday."
1933: Recorded her first song, "Your Mother's Son-in-Law," with Benny Goodman.
1935: Signed with Brunswick Records and released her debut album, "Billie Holiday."
1937: Recorded "Strange Fruit," a powerful song about lynching that became one of her signature songs.
1939: Appeared in her first film, "New Orleans."
1941: Had her first hit single, "God Bless the Child."
1942: Arrested and convicted for drug possession, causing her to lose her cabaret card and making it difficult to perform in nightclubs.
1947: Made a comeback with a performance at the Blue Note jazz club in New York City.
1949: Autobiography, "Lady Sings the Blues," published.
1950s: Continued to perform and record, but struggled with drug addiction and health problems.
1959: Died in New York City at the age of 44 from complications related to drug use and alcohol abuse.
Billie Holiday's life was marked by both triumphs and struggles, but her talent as a singer and her impact on jazz and American popular music left a lasting legacy.