Barbra Joan Streisand is born in Brooklyn, New York, to Diana (née Ida Rosen) and Emanuel Streisand. Her father, a high school teacher, dies when she is only 15 months old.

Streisand experiences a somewhat lonely childhood, often feeling overlooked by her mother and stepfather. She finds solace in singing and dreams of becoming an actress.

Streisand begins to cultivate her singing voice and enters local talent contests. She's driven by a strong ambition to escape her surroundings and achieve stardom.

Wins a singing contest at Gage and Tollner, a well-known Brooklyn restaurant. This marks a significant moment in recognizing her early vocal talent.

At age 18, she decides to drop one 'a' from her first name, becoming Barbra Streisand. This was a deliberate choice to stand out and be unique.

Begins performing in various Greenwich Village nightclubs and cabarets, honing her skills and developing her distinctive style.

Makes her Broadway debut in the musical 'I Can Get It for You Wholesale,' earning critical acclaim and a Tony Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. This role catapults her into the spotlight.