Nashville Unscripted · Dolly Parton
September 25 is becoming 9 to 5 Day across America — Tennessee, New York, California, and Pennsylvania are all moving to honor Dolly Parton with the date that spells out her most iconic anthem.
9 to 5 Day is a nationwide movement to designate September 25 — written as 9/25 — as an annual tribute to Dolly Parton, named after her most iconic anthem. What started as a Tennessee proposal has quickly spread to New York, California, and Pennsylvania, with Memphis already hosting free screenings of the 9 to 5 film on September 25, 2026.
Why September 25?
September 25 written numerically is 9/25 — which reads as 9 to 5, the title of Dolly Parton’s most famous song. The date was chosen by Tennessee State Senator Jessie Seal specifically for this numerical connection. It falls in Dolly’s birth month of January — wait, that’s not right. September was chosen purely for the 9/25 = 9 to 5 connection. Simple, perfect, and very Dolly.
Honor Dolly in Nashville
Stay at Her Own Hotel on Broadway
The SongTeller Hotel opens September 14 — just before the first 9 to 5 Day on September 25.
Book the SongTeller Hotel → Browse All Nashville Hotels →Every State Moving to Designate 9 to 5 Day
Tennessee
Where It Started · Senator Jessie Seal
Tennessee State Senator Jessie Seal of New Tazewell introduced the original bill to designate September 25 as 9 to 5 Day following Dolly Parton’s death on August 25, 2026. Tennessee is also moving to rename Nashville International Airport as Dolly Parton International Airport and has already declared January 19 as Dolly Parton Day for her birthday. Governor Bill Lee signed the January 19 proclamation earlier in 2026 for her 80th birthday.
New York
State Senators Bottcher & Cooney
New York State Senators Erik Bottcher and Jeremy Cooney are working to designate September 25 as 9 to 5 Day across New York State. Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal went further — already proclaiming September 25 as Dolly Parton Appreciation Day in Manhattan. The senators plan to introduce the full legislation when the New York State Legislature reconvenes in January.
California
Legislation Introduced
California lawmakers have introduced similar legislation to designate September 25 as 9 to 5 Day in California — part of the bipartisan wave of tributes moving through state legislatures across the country following Dolly’s passing.
Pennsylvania
Legislation Introduced
Pennsylvania has joined Tennessee, New York, and California in introducing 9 to 5 Day legislation. The multi-state effort reflects the genuinely national reach of Dolly Parton’s legacy — an artist who belonged to the whole country, not just the South.
September 25, 2026: The First 9 to 5 Day
September 25, 2026 will be the first unofficial 9 to 5 Day — even before most state legislation formally passes. Events are already being organized across the country to mark the occasion.
Free 9 to 5 Movie Screenings — Memphis
The Orpheum Theatre Group in Memphis, Tennessee is honoring Dolly Parton with four free screenings of the 1980 film 9 to 5 at Halloran Centre on September 25, 2026. Free admission — a community tribute in Tennessee’s second-largest city on the first 9 to 5 Day.
The Senator’s Words
“While every day is a fitting day to honor Dolly, ‘9 to 5 Day’ will give Tennesseans an opportunity each year to set aside a little extra time to listen to one of her most iconic songs and reflect on the once-in-a-century legend.” — Senator Jessie Seal
The Song Behind the Day
9 to 5 was written by Dolly Parton during filming of the 1980 movie of the same name — her acting debut alongside Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin. She wrote it on set, tapping her acrylic nails together to create the rhythm of a typewriter that became the song’s iconic opening percussion.
The song became one of the best-selling singles of 1980, won the Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance and Best Country Song in 1981, and became an enduring anthem about working people that resonated far beyond country music. Forty-five years later it remains one of the most recognizable opening riffs in popular music history.
For the full story of how she wrote it and the Nashville connections behind her greatest songs, see our complete Dolly Parton songs guide.
Dolly Parton Day vs 9 to 5 Day
Tennessee actually has two Dolly Parton tribute days now:
- January 19 — Dolly Parton Day — Governor Bill Lee signed a proclamation designating January 19, 2026 as Dolly Parton Day in Tennessee to honor her 80th birthday. This is her actual birth date.
- September 25 — 9 to 5 Day — the new annual tribute named after her iconic song, chosen for the 9/25 numerical connection. Legislation pending across multiple states.
Tennessee’s Full Dolly Parton Tribute
9 to 5 Day is one piece of Tennessee’s comprehensive response to Dolly Parton’s passing:
- Nashville Airport rename — Nashville International Airport becoming Dolly Parton International Airport. Vote scheduled September 17, 2026. See our airport rename guide.
- UT Vols helmet stickers — butterfly Dolly stickers on every Tennessee Vols helmet all 2026 season. See our UT tribute guide.
- Neyland Stadium fourth-quarter song — a Dolly Parton song as the new game day tradition.
- Centennial Park bench — dedicated August 29, 2026. See our bench guide.
- DollyFest Nashville 2027 — the official tribute festival. See our DollyFest guide.
→ Dolly Parton Nashville: Her Legacy in Music City
→ Dolly Parton Nashville Memorials: Where to Pay Your Respects
→ Dolly Parton Songs: The Stories Behind Her Greatest Hits
→ DollyFest Nashville 2027: Everything We Know
9 to 5 Day legislation status varies by state and is subject to formal legislative approval. This post will be updated as designations are officially confirmed. All information sourced from official state announcements and verified reporting.