September 25 Is Basically Dolly Parton Day — And There’s a Pretty Great Reason Why

If you need an excuse to listen to Dolly Parton today, the calendar has you covered.

September 25 — or 9/25 — has become a perfect day to celebrate the life and legacy of the legendary singer, songwriter, actress and philanthropist.

Why? Just look at the numbers: 9/25 = "9 to 5."

Dolly Parton died on August 25, 2026, at the age of 80 after a brief battle with cancer. Her family said she died surrounded by loved ones in Nashville.

And now, exactly one month later, fans have another reason to remember one of her most iconic songs.

Why September 25?

Parton wrote and recorded "9 to 5" for the 1980 movie of the same name, in which she starred alongside Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin. The song became one of the biggest hits of her career, topping both the Billboard pop and country charts and earning Parton an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song.

So when the calendar hits 9/25, it's hard not to see it as a built-in Dolly Parton holiday.

Tennessee State Sen. Jessie Seal of New Tazewell has proposed designating September 25 as "9 to 5 Day" in Parton's honor.

Seal said the annual observance would give Tennesseans an opportunity to listen to one of Parton's most famous songs and reflect on her legacy.

And Tennessee isn't the only place getting in on the celebration. Leaders in several states and cities, including New York City and communities in California, have also been marking the occasion with tributes to Parton.

A Legacy Much Bigger Than "9 to 5"

Of course, Dolly Parton's legacy goes way beyond one song.

She grew up in poverty in the Tennessee mountains and went on to become one of the most successful and recognizable entertainers in the world. Her career spanned music, movies, television, business and philanthropy.

She gave us unforgettable songs including "Jolene," "Coat of Many Colors" and "I Will Always Love You." The latter became an even bigger worldwide hit when Whitney Houston recorded it for The Bodyguard.

Parton also starred in movies including 9 to 5, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas and Steel Magnolias.

And her generosity became just as famous as her music. Through her Imagination Library, Parton helped put hundreds of millions of books into the hands of children.

Her official announcement described a seven-decade career defined not only by her music, but also by her wit, warmth, kindness and philanthropy.

So... What Are You Listening To Today?

It's September 25.

It's 9/25.

You know what that means.

Turn up Dolly.

Whether it's 9 to 5, Jolene, I Will Always Love You or one of the hundreds of other songs she wrote, today is a pretty good day to celebrate everything Dolly Parton gave the world.