Witnessing Miss Myrt’s incredible achievement and Paul Anderson’s awe-inspiring feats of strength, Buford was filled with an atmosphere of celebration. On that special day, dreams came true for both iconic figures and the crowd gathered from across the town to pay an honorary tribute. Standing recognitions were given throughout the duration and celebratory entertainment left a long-lasting impression on all those who attended. It was a day of celebrations honoring two remarkable individuals who made an idyllic impact on humanity!

It was an incredible moment for the town of Buford when Miss Myrt returned home from her successful WCBS-TV quiz show, “The $64,000 Question”, having won a staggering $32,000 with her knowledge of baseball. The crowd welcomed her with a parade, a “key to the city” presentation, and other celebratory entertainment. It was an inspiring occasion that will not be forgotten by anyone who witnessed it.

At the same time, another incredible individual was making a public appearance and performance. Paul Anderson was born in Toccoa, Georgia, and was invited to appear at the event that many considered the highlight of the year. His name had been growing in popularity, with his awe-inspiring feats of strength quickly making him world famous. As a high school student, Paul dedicated himself to a self-taught weightlifting program to improve his size and strength for football. After attending Furman University for a year on a football scholarship, Paul moved onward and met weightlifter Bob Peoples, who profoundly influenced his life. Through hard work and dedication, Paul achieved success in the weightlifting circuit, culminating in numerous state and national titles. It was truly an honor to witness this remarkable man’s achievements firsthand.

In 1955, he set a world record in the Soviet Union by lifting an astonishing 402.5 pounds overhead and was later crowned World Heavyweight Champion in Munich. His successes continued with an Olympic gold medal in 1956 in Melbourne, Australia. Paul’s accomplishments are nothing short of remarkable!

Yet, there was another feat that went unnoticed – one Paul performed right here in Buford, on Myrt Power Day in September 1955. Anderson had designed and created a platform that straddled his shoulders and allowed people to sit on each side, thus equally distributing the weight. Remarkably, he successfully lifted all of the Buford High School cheerleaders in this fashion! To commemorate this remarkable event, we seek any photos or other pertinent documents that could help tell the story. They invite you to share your stories of this occasion with them; it will be documented and preserved for generations to come.

On that iconic day, the small town of Buford had not one, but two heroes to fete. Miss Myrt’s remarkable quiz show performance left the community brimming with pride – but her achievements were nothing in comparison to Paul Anderson. His sheer dedication and strength earned him a wealth of awards across multiple countries as one of the foremost weightlifters worldwide. Against all odds, he proved wrong those who suggested limits solid against physical perseverance and opened up whole new possibilities for human potential. On that festive occasion nostalgia for achievement rose into the sky, warmly celebrating two luminaries shining shared brilliance.