Changes

==Background==

==Background==

Dirksen was born in Pekin, Illinois to German immigrants. His parents gave him the middle name "McKinley" after U.S. president [[William McKinley]]. Raised with his two brothers in a strongly religious household, Dirksen attended public schools and later the [[University of Minnesota]]. During [[World War I]], he served in the Army as a Second Lieutenant.

Dirksen was born in Pekin, Illinois to German immigrants.<ref name=encyclopedia.com>[https://www.encyclopedia.com/people/history/us-history-biographies/everett-mckinley-dirksen Everett Mckinley Dirksen]. ''encyclopedia.com''. Retrieved June 19, 2021.</ref> His parents gave him the middle name "McKinley" after U.S. president [[William McKinley]]. Raised with his two brothers in a strongly religious household, Dirksen attended public schools and later the [[University of Minnesota]]. During [[World War I]], he served in the Army as a Second Lieutenant.

==Political career==

==Political career==