Every year, millions of children around the world eagerly follow Santa Claus’s journey as he delivers presents on Christmas Eve. They use the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) Santa Tracker, a fun and magical tradition that has grown from its Cold War beginnings into a globally recognized holiday event.
Here’s the story behind how NORAD’s Santa Tracker came to be and why it continues to capture the hearts of children (and adults) everywhere.
The Surprising Origin of NORAD’s Santa Tracker
The origins of NORAD’s Santa Tracker date back to a simple mistake in 1955, during the height of the Cold War. It all started with a misprinted phone number in a Sears ad that invited children to call Santa Claus directly. Unfortunately, the number printed was not Santa’s hotline but the emergency contact for the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD), NORAD’s predecessor.
A young boy, eager to speak with Santa, dialed the number, only to be met by Air Force Colonel Harry W. Shoup. Instead of dismissing the child, Colonel Shoup decided to play along. “Ho, ho, ho! Yes, I am Santa Claus. Have you been a good boy?” he responded, and the tradition was born.
From that day on, more and more children began calling the number, and soon, the idea of tracking Santa’s journey around the world was born. The military staff even began to use a large plexiglass map to mark Santa’s progress as he flew across the globe.
From Military Mission to Christmas Tradition
The NORAD Santa Tracker officially began in 1958, when CONAD handed the baton to NORAD. Since then, NORAD has continued to track Santa using the same technology it employs to defend North American airspace. The tradition has only grown, attracting millions of followers each year.
It started as a simple map of North America, but today, NORAD uses radar systems, satellites, and other cutting-edge technology to monitor Santa’s flight in real-time. This includes the same radar system that monitors potential missile threats, ensuring that Santa’s journey is safe from any unexpected dangers.
Volunteers Bring Holiday Cheer
While NORAD’s primary mission is to defend the skies over North America, Christmas Eve sees the agency’s volunteers donning festive hats and answering calls from children across the globe. Each year, over 1,250 volunteers, including uniformed personnel from the U.S. and Canada and civilian staff from the Department of Defense, help answer phone calls, emails, and social media messages to provide Santa’s current location.
Volunteers, like Bob Sommers, a civilian contractor and NORAD volunteer, help create an unforgettable experience for children. “There are screams and giggles and laughter,” he said. Sommers often reminds callers to make sure they’re asleep before Santa arrives, prompting parents to rush their children to bed.
Even high-profile figures, such as the President and First Lady, have joined the tradition by answering calls to talk to children about Santa’s progress.
How Does the Santa Tracker Work?
NORAD uses a combination of radar and satellites to track Santa’s progress across the globe. The agency’s radar system, known as the North American Warning System, includes 47 checkpoints across northern Canada and Alaska. Once Santa takes off from the North Pole, NORAD begins its tracking mission, using the same satellites that monitor for potential missile launches aimed at North America. These satellites give NORAD real-time updates on Santa’s location, which is then shared with eager children via the official website or through the Santa Tracker phone hotline: 1-877-HI-NORAD.
Despite the advanced technology, NORAD makes it clear that predicting when Santa will arrive at individual households is impossible. The tracker updates continuously to show where Santa is in real-time, but only Santa knows his exact route. However, history has shown that Santa typically arrives at homes between 9 p.m. and midnight on Christmas Eve, ensuring that children are asleep when he makes his rounds.
A Global Phenomenon
Today, NORAD’s Santa Tracker is not just an American tradition; it has become a global event. The tracker is available in nine languages, including English, French, Spanish, and Japanese, making it accessible to millions of children around the world. Families from every corner of the globe tune in to watch Santa’s journey, reinforcing the joy and excitement of the holiday season.
NORAD’s website also features interactive elements, allowing children to watch live updates of Santa’s progress. In addition to the live map, NORAD’s social media pages on platforms like Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and YouTube provide frequent updates, keeping children and families engaged throughout the night.
Ever hear the history behind NORAD tracking Santa? 🎄🎅🎄
The tradition of NORAD tracking Santa dates back to 1955, and it began as a happy accident:
🎄Sears Ad Mix-up: A department store in Colorado Springs, Colorado, ran a newspaper ad inviting children to call Santa Claus.… https://t.co/IQ6WtC7r7V pic.twitter.com/7GxCk7YpyB
— 🇺🇸 The American Culturist 🇺🇸 (@MericaCulture) December 24, 2024A Unique Holiday Tradition
The NORAD Santa Tracker is more than just a fun way to pass the time on Christmas Eve. It’s a tradition that brings joy to families, young and old alike, while also lifting spirits with its origins rooted in the Cold War era. What began as a military response to a child’s misdialed call has grown into an annual celebration, continuing to spread laughter and excitement during the holiday season.
As the years pass and technology evolves, one thing remains unchanged: the magic of Santa’s Christmas Eve journey, tracked by NORAD, bringing families together across the world in the spirit of joy and holiday cheer.
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