9-25 marks a day to celebrate Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton performs on The Pyramid Stage on Day 3 of the Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm on June 29, 2014 in Glastonbury, England. (Photo by Shirlaine Forrest/WireImage)
Today, September 25, marks a special day for millions of fans around the world to celebrate the life and legacy of music icon Dolly Parton.
Big picture view:
From her unmistakable voice and larger-than-life personality to her acting career, philanthropy and decades of unforgettable music, Parton left a lasting mark on generations of fans. The beloved country music legend, who died last month after a battle with cancer, continues to be celebrated for the music and memories she left behind.
But Sept. 25 is not Parton’s birthday or the anniversary of a major milestone in her career. Instead, the date carries a playful connection to one of her most famous songs: "9 to 5."
Dig deeper:
Written and recorded by Parton for the 1980 film of the same name, "9 to 5" became one of her signature hits and an enduring anthem for working people. With the calendar reading 9/25, or "9 to 5" with the 2 taken as "to," fans are using the date as another reason to celebrate Parton and her lasting legacy.
Tennessee State Sen. Jessie Seal of New Tazewell proposed a bill to designate Sept. 25 (9/25) as "9 to 5 Day" in honor of Parton. Parton, a country music icon and beloved philanthropist, died Tuesday at 80 years old following a brief battle with cancer.
What they're saying:
"Dolly will go down as one of the most legendary Tennesseans of all time," said Seal. "Not only will her music stand the test of time, but so will her legacy of faith and kindness. She embodied the true Volunteer State spirit like no other. 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."
Elsewhere, a number of state and local leaders from California to New York City are celebrating the day with proclamations celebrating the life and career of the singer.
Dolly Parton’s legacy
The backstory:
Born in poverty in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, Parton became an icon whose popularity crossed generational, geographic and political boundaries. In addition to writing and recording hit songs such as "Jolene" and "I Will Always Love You," she starred in Hollywood films including "9 to 5" and "Steel Magnolias."
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It’s hard to name a more adored artist than Parton. In 2015, when Parton returned to Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, Grand Ole Opry announcer Bill Cody introduced her as "the most beloved artist of all time."
The Source: This story was written with information provided by The Associated Press and previous reporting by LiveNOW from FOX. This story was reported from Orlando.