The beloved Christmas custom of tracking Santa Claus has blossomed into a worldwide phenomenon, captivating children from various corners of the globe as he travels the earth delivering gifts and creating holiday magic. Each holiday season, more than 100,000 children reach out to the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) to learn about Santa’s whereabouts, while millions more follow the journey online, available in a variety of languages, including English and Japanese.
Unlike their typical responsibilities of monitoring the skies for potential threats, such as last year’s spy balloon incident, NORAD volunteers in Colorado Springs find joy in answering festive questions on Christmas Eve. They receive queries like, “When will Santa be at my house?” or “Am I on the naughty or nice list?” Bob Sommers, a volunteer and civilian contractor, describes the atmosphere filled with “screams and giggles and laughter,” creating a backdrop for families eagerly awaiting Santa’s arrival.
Sommers often reminds children that bedtime is essential for Santa’s visit, leading enthusiastic parents to encourage their kids to settle down for the night. This annual tradition of tracking Santa dates back to the Cold War and has persevered through various challenges, like government shutdowns, including those in 2018 and the current year.
The genesis of this unique custom is quite an intriguing tale. It all began by chance in 1955 when a young boy misdialed the phone number listed in a Sears advertisement inviting children to reach out to Santa. Instead of Santa, he found himself speaking to the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD), NORAD’s predecessor, which was focused on detecting enemy threats amid escalating tensions with the Soviet Union.
Air Force Col. Harry W. Shoup answered the “red phone” and, upon recognizing the situation, he transformed his response to embrace the spirit of Christmas right then, speaking warmly as Santa Claus. Following this initial call, Shoup was inundated with calls from children sharing their Christmas wish lists, leading to an overwhelming influx of about fifty calls daily.
In the pre-internet era, NORAD utilized a large map of North America to track unidentified aerial phenomena. When a staff member humorously drew Santa and his sleigh on the map, the tradition officially took flight. A story from the Associated Press in December of 1955 highlighted this initiative, noting that Santa was being monitored by the Continental Air Defense Command for his safe passage.
Over the decades, some have cast doubt on the veracity of this founding tale, suggesting alternative scenarios regarding how the calls to Shoup originated. A 2014 article pointed to a possible mix-up with phone number digits, while a 2015 piece questioned the extensive volume of calls claimed. Nevertheless, it is well-documented that Shoup understood the public relations potential of the opportunity he had—using Santa as a means to bolster the spirits of both the troops and the public during uncertain times.
Shoup, who passed away in 2009, was remembered for his humor and the warmth he brought to the calls. His family revealed that he often received heartfelt letters from around the world, expressing gratitude for his lighthearted approach to tracking Santa.
NORAD’s Christmas tradition stands out as one of the few contemporary additions to the age-old Santa narrative, according to Gerry Bowler, a historian specializing in Santa Claus lore. Unlike commercial attempts to capitalize on Santa’s popularity, NORAD injects a modern twist into the classic tale, blending tradition with technology.
Air Force Lt. Gen. Case Cunningham explained that NORAD’s radars in Alaska and Canada are the first to spot Santa as he departs from the North Pole, following his journey westward across the globe. Updated technology allows the tracking of Santa through his glowing red-nosed reindeer, providing a whimsical blend of holiday cheer with modern science.
On Christmas Eve, NORAD enhances the experience with interactive features available via a website and app, allowing people to follow Santa’s voyage in real-time from 4 a.m. to midnight mountain standard time. Families can also connect with live operators at 1-877-HI-NORAD to find out where Santa is at any time during his magical night.
