California Governor Gavin Newsom on September 25, 2026 issued a formal proclamation declaring that date “Dolly Parton Day” in the state, honoring the late entertainer’s artistic career and philanthropic work, including her Imagination Library literacy program.
- Governor Gavin Newsom proclaimed September 25, 2026 as "Dolly Parton Day" in California.
- The proclamation highlights Parton’s career and philanthropic work, especially the Imagination Library; California was an early partner and offers a bilingual option.
- The designation is symbolic and does not create a paid state holiday or change state operations.
- Multiple U.S. cities and states have issued similar proclamations or planned events tied to Sept. 25, with some raising funds for the Imagination Library.
What the proclamation says
The official text, released on the California governor’s website, highlights Parton’s career as a singer, songwriter and actress and emphasizes how she connected with people across communities. The proclamation notes signature songs such as “9 to 5” and “I Will Always Love You,” and ties the choice of date — 9/25 — to the former song by referencing the numerals in the month/day form. It states that Parton used her resources to support education and communities, funded scholarships and supplied band instruments, provided disaster relief, backed HIV/AIDS clinics and organizations, and invested in programs in Black communities.
Imagination Library and California’s role
The proclamation singles out Parton’s Imagination Library, an early literacy initiative that mails free books to registered children from birth to age five, noting that California “proudly partners” with the program and was among the first states to offer a bilingual option. The governor’s text describes the program as a major element of Parton’s philanthropic legacy and frames California’s recognition as both tribute and an invitation to emulate her generosity.
Context: broader U.S. observances and local actions
The California proclamation is part of a wider wave of local and state recognitions following Parton’s death in late August 2026, according to reporting captured in the evidence packet. Multiple jurisdictions across the country have declared Sept. 25 or otherwise planned observances that reference the “9 to 5” connection. Examples in the packet include New Orleans, Lexington (Kentucky), Manhattan (New York), Cocke County (Tennessee), Ohio and Montgomery County (Texas), among others, with some communities scheduling events and fundraisers tied to the Imagination Library and others issuing ceremonial proclamations without central public festivities.
Events and fundraising
News outlets cited in the evidence material report that New Orleans planned a French Quarter parade and Imagination Library fundraiser, while Lexington scheduled a free community event with local musicians and donations to the literacy program. Other places — including Manhattan Borough President’s office and county or city leaders in Tennessee and Texas — issued proclamations recognizing the date but did not necessarily tie them to public events.
What the proclamation does — and does not — change
The governor’s proclamation is a symbolic state designation; the text published by the California governor does not create a paid state holiday, alter government operations, or mandate statewide programming. It frames Sept. 25 as an annual day to honor Parton’s life and to encourage acts of kindness and generosity in her spirit.
Statements in the proclamation — exact language
The proclamation’s text used a mix of cultural references and descriptions of Parton’s philanthropy and background, saying, for example, that Parton came from a large, poor family in Appalachia and prayed for “enough to share and enough to spare.” It characterizes her giving as “never flashy or flaunted,” and lists concrete areas where she provided support, including scholarships, musical instruments for schools, disaster relief funds, clinics and organizations fighting HIV/AIDS, and investments in Black communities and businesses. The governor concluded by urging Californians to honor her memory “by being just a bit kinder, a bit more generous, and a bit more fun.”
Timeline and verification
- August 2026: Dolly Parton died; the evidence packet includes reporting that her death prompted tributes and plans for commemorations across the U.S.
- September 3–21, 2026: Multiple outlets reported on growing plans to observe Sept. 25 as a date of remembrance tied to “9 to 5.”
- September 25, 2026: Governor Newsom posted the proclamation on the official California governor’s website declaring September 25, 2026, as Dolly Parton Day in California.
Where sources agree and where details differ
All sources in the packet consistently report that Sept. 25 was chosen because, in U.S. month/day formatting, it reads as 9/25 — an allusion to Parton’s song “9 to 5.” They also agree that several states, counties and cities issued proclamations or planned public events and fundraisers connected to the Imagination Library.
Differences among sources appear in which jurisdictions have planned public events versus those that issued ceremonial proclamations only, and in the scope of coverage attributed to state programs of the Imagination Library. For instance, some reporting lists specific event details for New Orleans and Lexington, while other items note proclamations without announcing associated public programming. The California governor’s office material focuses on the text of the statewide proclamation and California’s partnership role with the Imagination Library rather than listing local event schedules.
Practical implications for Californians
- Individuals: The proclamation invites Californians to observe the day informally — through charitable acts, literary donations or community celebrations — but does not change state services or work schedules.
- Nonprofits and libraries: Organizations focused on early childhood literacy and community outreach can view the designation as a prompt for local fundraisers or enrollment drives for the Imagination Library; the proclamation explicitly highlights California’s bilingual option within the program.
- Local governments: Cities and counties can issue their own recognitions or coordinate events, but the state proclamation itself does not require them to do so.
Unresolved questions
- Whether California will develop an annual statewide program or coordinated events tied to the proclamation beyond the symbolic designation.
- Which additional jurisdictions will enact permanent recognitions or sponsor recurring public events on Sept. 25.
- How nonprofit partners and the Imagination Library will track and promote local participation in California specifically linked to the state proclamation.
Why this matters
The California proclamation is part of a broader national pattern of local and state governments offering ceremonial recognition of prominent figures whose cultural and philanthropic work touched communities across the country. For Californians, the designation spotlights early-literacy work already active in the state and provides an annual, symbolic opportunity to support related programs.
“So today, during California’s inaugural Dolly Parton Day, let us honor her by being just a bit kinder, a bit more generous, and a bit more fun.”
That closing exhortation appears in the governor’s proclamation posted on the state website and encapsulates the stated intent of the recognition.
If readers want to see the exact proclamation text, it was published on the California governor’s official website on September 25, 2026.
