December 24th 2024.
The beloved Christmas tradition of tracking Santa Claus has become a global phenomenon, with children from all corners of the world eagerly waiting for his arrival. Each year, over 100,000 kids dial the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) to get updates on Santa's whereabouts, while millions more follow along online in nine different languages. It's a remarkable sight to witness, especially considering that NORAD's primary responsibility is to scan the skies for potential threats. But on Christmas Eve, their focus shifts to answering questions like "When will Santa be at my house?" and "Am I on the naughty or nice list?"
Bob Sommers, a 63-year-old civilian contractor and NORAD volunteer, describes the atmosphere on Christmas Eve as one filled with "screams, giggles, and laughter." He often reminds the young callers that they must be asleep before Santa can make his deliveries, prompting parents to nudge their children to bed early. This annual tradition of tracking Santa has been around since the Cold War, long before ugly sweater parties and Mariah Carey's holiday hits. And despite government shutdowns, such as the one in 2018, and the current pandemic, it continues to bring joy to kids and families all over the world.
The origin of NORAD's Santa tracking can be traced back to a Hollywood-esque story that sounds almost too good to be true. It all began in 1955, when a local newspaper in Colorado Springs mistakenly printed a Sears ad that included a phone number for kids to call Santa. Little did they know, the number actually belonged to the Continental Air Defense Command, which was responsible for detecting enemy attacks during a time of heightened tensions with the Soviet Union. Air Force Col. Harry W. Shoup, who was on duty that night, answered the phone to find a child on the other end reciting their Christmas wish list.
Realizing that the child had dialed the wrong number, Shoup decided to play along and pretended to be Santa Claus. After that first call, the phone started ringing off the hook, with kids eager to talk to Santa Claus. In the pre-digital age, NORAD used a plexiglass map of North America to track unidentified objects in the sky. And with a bit of holiday spirit, one of the staff members drew Santa and his sleigh flying over the North Pole. And just like that, a new tradition was born.
The newspaper caught wind of the story and published an article on December 23rd, 1955, assuring children that Santa's safe passage into the United States had been confirmed by the Continental Air Defense Command. The article even mentioned that Santa was being guarded against possible attacks from "those who do not believe in Christmas." While some may question the validity of Shoup's story, his children have confirmed that it was indeed a misprinted Sears ad that led to the phone calls, and their father received letters from people all over the world thanking him for having a sense of humor.
NORAD's annual Santa tracking is one of the few modern additions to Santa's centuries-old story that has stood the test of time. According to Canadian historian Gerry Bowler, who wrote "Santa Claus: A Biography," most attempts to commercialize or "kidnap" Santa for advertising purposes have failed. But NORAD's approach is unique; they take a beloved aspect of Santa's story and view it through a technological lens. Air Force Lt. Gen. Case Cunningham explains that the NORAD radars in Alaska and Canada are the first to detect Santa's journey, and then satellites track his heat signature as he travels across the globe.
For those who want to join in on the excitement, NORAD has a website and app where you can track Santa's journey on Christmas Eve. And if you prefer a more personal touch, you can call 1-877-HI-NORAD to speak with live operators who can give you updates on Santa's location. So this Christmas, as you snuggle up with your loved ones and wait for Santa's arrival, remember the unlikely origin of this heartwarming tradition and the dedicated volunteers at NORAD who make it possible.
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