On December 24, 1955, a tradition was born that continues to bring joy to children (and adults) around the world every Christmas Eve. It all started with an accidental phone call that led to NORAD’s (North American Aerospace Defense Command) famous Santa tracking service.
The story began when a local newspaper in Colorado Springs, where the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD) was located, printed an ad encouraging children to call Santa Claus. However, the number listed in the ad was incorrect. Instead of dialing Santa’s hotline, kids accidentally called the CONAD operations line. Colonel Harry Shoup, who was on duty that night, answered the phone and quickly realized the mistake. Rather than just hang up, he decided to play along and gave children updates about where Santa was flying, based on the military’s radar.
When CONAD was replaced by NORAD in 1958, the Santa tracking tradition continued. The new command expanded the service, turning it into a global event. What started as a small, fun mistake grew into an annual mission that included using radar, satellites, and even fighter jets to track Santa’s sleigh as it traveled around the world.
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Today, NORAD’s Santa tracker is a beloved tradition. Families can follow Santa’s journey in real-time using the NORAD Tracks Santa website, mobile apps, and social media. Volunteers help answer calls and emails from excited children, making sure everyone can keep up with Santa’s progress. What began as a simple error has turned into a magical holiday experience enjoyed by millions every year.