Fans around the world are calling for September 25 to be officially recognised as Dolly Parton Day, following the country music icon's death at the age of 80 on Tuesday, August 25. The proposed date carries a special connection to one of her biggest hits.
The calls have gained momentum on TikTok, where a video posted by user @heyheyitsruffin has received more than 229,700 views and 37,800 likes. The user suggested September 25 because, in American date format, it is written as 9/25.
A Date Tied to a Classic Hit
In the clip, the user said: "I saw a post today that said 'If May the 4th is Star Wars Day, May the fourth be with you, then September 25th should be Dolly Parton Day, because it's 9/25.'"
They added: "I've never been on board with something more in my life. Motion is seconded, make it so."
The date is fitting because Parton's iconic song 9 to 5 was released on November 3, 1980, alongside the comedy film of the same name. The movie marked her first major film role, starring alongside Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin. The song became one of her most recognisable hits and remains closely associated with both the singer and the film.
Fans Suggest a Day of Giving
The TikTok suggestion quickly gathered support, with several users agreeing that September 25 would be the perfect date for an annual celebration. One commenter took the idea further, writing: "Hear me out, I agree, and I think it should be called Dolly's National Day of Giving. Thanksgiving is about gratitude. Dolly is a notorious philanthropist."
The commenter added: "Everyone can give, in some capacity like time, love, labor, and support. On 9/25, the whole country could do what Dolly would do and find a way to give. Seems like a wonderful tribute."
Another user suggested making the day about children and reading, commenting: "And to celebrate adults volunteer to read to kids at schools! Like new books all day for the kids and different adults coming in to read to them all day!"
Tributes Continue to Pour In
The calls for an official Dolly Parton Day come as tributes continue for the singer, whose career spanned decades and made her one of the most celebrated figures in country music. Her nephew, Bryan Seaver, announced her death on Instagram, saying she had been welcomed by "the arms of Jesus". He described sharing the news as an "honour", while also expressing his "great sadness".
