Today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day across the US, but in Tennessee it's also Dolly Parton Day. The music icon, actor, theme park owner, and philanthropist turns 80 today. In honor of her birthday, Gov. Bill Lee signed a proclamation Thursday declaring today Dolly Parton Day.
"Dolly Parton's life and career is woven into Tennessee’s music, culture, and rich history," Lee said in an official statement. "Her talent and generosity have made a lasting impact on the world, and it is fitting that we honor her 80th birthday by celebrating her remarkable legacy and dedication to the Volunteer State."
The proclamation reads as follows:
WHEREAS, Dolly Parton, born on January 19, 1946, in Sevier County, is a native Tennessean whose extraordinary life and career have brought pride to the State of Tennessee; and
WHEREAS, Dolly Parton is an acclaimed singer, songwriter, musician, actress, producer, and entrepreneur whose body of work embodies the spirit of Tennessee; and
WHEREAS, throughout her remarkable career, Dolly Parton has earned numerous awards and accolades and is widely regarded as one of the most influential and beloved artists in the history of American music; and
WHEREAS, in addition to her artistic accomplishments, Dolly Parton has demonstrated an enduring commitment to philanthropy and service, most notably through the Dollywood Foundation and the Imagination Library, which began in Tennessee and has provided hundreds of millions of free books to children around the world, helping to promote early childhood literacy and educational opportunity; and
WHEREAS, Dolly Patton's generosity, humility, and dedication to improving the lives of others exemplify the values of the Volunteer State and serve as an inspiration to Tennesseans and people worldwide; and
WHEREAS, in 2026, the State of Tennessee celebrates the 80th birthday of Dolly Parton, a Tennessee treasure, and honors her lifetime of achievement, service, and positive impact;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Bill Lee, Governor of the State of Tennessee, do hereby proclaim
January 19, 2026, asDOLLY PARTON DAY
in Tennessee and encourage all citizens to join me in this worthy observance.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the official seal of the State of Tennessee to be affixed at Nashville on this fifteenth day of January 2026.
Doing this on MLK Day is awkward at best, but Parton is certainly worthy of the honor, and I guess her birthday is her birthday.
