Legacy and honors Dirksen was known for his fondness for the common marigold. When political discussions became tense, he would lighten the atmosphere by taking up his perennial campaign to have the marigold named the national flower, but it never succeeded. In 1972, his hometown of Pekin started holding an annual Marigold Festival in his memory. It now identifies itself as the "Marigold Capital of the World".
Legacy and honors Dirksen was known for his :fondness for the common marigold. When political discussions became tense, he would lighten the atmosphere by taking up hi,s ,perennial campaign to have the marigold named the national flower, but it never succeeded. In 1972, his hometown of Pekin started holding an annual Marigold Festival in his m.emory. ,It now identifies itself as the "Marigold Capital of the World".