In December 1955, a Sears department store in Colorado Springs, Colorado, published an advertisement inviting children to call Santa Claus directly. The ad, however, contained a misprinted phone number, directing calls to the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD) Operations Center, the predecessor to NORAD. Colonel Harry Shoup, the officer on duty, received the first unexpected call from a child seeking Santa. Recognizing the opportunity to spread holiday cheer, Colonel Shoup instructed his staff to provide Santa's "current location" to any child who called. This compassionate response was the beginning cherished annual tradition.
In 1958, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) was established, taking over the responsibility of tracking Santa's yuletide journey. Over the years, NORAD has embraced technological advancements to enhance the experience, providing real-time updates on Santa's location to millions of families worldwide.
NORAD employs a combination of sophisticated technologies to monitor Santa's movements. NORAD's radar network, comprising 47 installations across North America, is the first to detect Santa's departure from the North Pole.
Positioned in geosynchronous orbit, NORAD's satellites are equipped with infrared sensors capable of detecting heat signatures. These sensors can easily spot the warmth emitted by Rudolph's bright red nose, allowing satellites to track Santa's sleigh as it traverses the globe.
Upon entering North American airspace, Santa is greeted by NORAD jet fighters. Canadian CF-18s and American F-15s, F-16s, or F-22s often escort Santa, with pilots relaying his location to NORAD headquarters.
To share Santa's journey with the world, NORAD provides updates through Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram. Also, partners like Amazon Alexa and OnStar offer Santa-tracking services, allowing people to inquire about Santa's location through voice commands or in-vehicle systems in their cars.
On December 24, volunteers staff a call center, answering inquiries about Santa's whereabouts. By dialing 1-877-HI-NORAD, callers can receive live updates, a tradition that has become a significant community outreach program.
The NORAD Tracks Santa program has become a cherished holiday tradition, engaging volunteers and delighting families worldwide. Each year, the program receives millions of website visits and thousands of phone calls. NORAD's commitment to tracking Santa brings joy to children and adults alike during the most wonderful time of the year.
To learn more, watch this information video from CBS News: How Norad's Santa Tracker tradition got started