Imagine a child dialing a phone number, hoping to reach the one and only Santa Claus, only to connect with the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) – or, if we’re being specific, its predecessor. While it might seem unlikely, that is exactly what happened in the 1950s, launching a now beloved tradition that continues to this day.
A call to Santa Claus
It was 1955, and a Sears newspaper advertisement mistakenly listed the phone number for the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD) Operations Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado, instead of Santa Claus‘ workshop. The commander on duty that night was US Air Force Col. Harry Shoup. He answered the call and, instead of simply dismissing it, embraced the opportunity.
Shoup played along, reassuring the youngster that Santa was safe and on his way to deliver presents to not just them, but children across the world. As more calls came in from the misprint, the colonel assigned a duty officer whose sole job that night was to tell those phoning in of Santa’s exact location.
Little did he know this serendipitous event would spark a tradition that NORAD, which officially formed in 1958, has continued for nearly seven decades. It’s even grown to the point where Santa is now given a personal escort by fighter jets while navigating his sleigh through North America, to ensure he safely makes it back to the North Pole.
Tracking Santa Claus on Christmas Eve
What started as a simple phone call has now evolved into a massive volunteer operation. On Christmas Eve each year, over 1,200 volunteers answer more than 130,000 calls and countless emails from children who are eager to know Santa Claus’ whereabouts. Historically, youngsters could also track Old Saint Nick’s progress via the radio and television reports.
On top of these calls, the NORAD Tracks Santa website receives millions of unique visitors each year from over 200 countries. The simple act of checking the interactive map has become a tradition of the holiday season. The site is available in numerous languages, ensuring that children from anywhere can participate in the festive fun.
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Social media platforms have further expanded the program’s reach, allowing users to engage with Santa’s journey in real-time, while companies like OnStar and Amazon provide additional ways for families to track Santa, making the experience accessible and engaging.
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Why Does NORAD Track Santa Claus?
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