The joyous tradition of tracking Santa Claus has become a worldwide phenomenon, with children globally keeping an eye on his journey as he distributes gifts and defies time.
Every year, over 100,000 children contact the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) to find out Santa’s whereabouts, with millions more following his travels online in multiple languages, including English and Japanese.
On ordinary nights, NORAD is focused on monitoring the skies for potential threats, such as last year’s incident involving a Chinese spy balloon. However, on Christmas Eve, its volunteers in Colorado Springs answer numerous queries, including, “When will Santa arrive at my house?” and “Am I on the naughty or nice list?”
“The atmosphere is filled with screams, giggles, and laughter,” shared Bob Sommers, a 63-year-old civilian contractor and NORAD volunteer.
Often during calls, he reminds children they need to be asleep for Santa’s arrival, leading parents to urge their kids to settle down for the night.
The annual Santa tracking initiative has roots dating back to the Cold War, well before the advent of ugly Christmas sweaters or the catchy Mariah Carey holiday classics.
Its inception is quite compelling and could rival any Hollywood screenplay.
It all began in 1955 when a misdial led a young boy to contact NORAD instead of Santa Claus, following a Sears advertisement encouraging kids to call the jolly figure.
Tensions were high during that period, especially with growing fears regarding the Soviet Union and nuclear conflict.
When the little boy reached the emergency-only “red phone,” he was greeted by Air Force Colonel Harry W. Shoup, who quickly adopted a cheerful tone when he realized the situation.
“Ho, ho, ho! Yes, I am Santa Claus. Have you been a good boy?” he chimed in.
After learning that Sears had erroneously published the confidential number, Shoup found that he was soon inundated with calls from other children sharing their Christmas wishes.
Before the rise of digital technology, the organization utilized a massive plexiglass map of North America to track unidentified aerial objects.
Employing humor, a staff member drew Santa and his sleigh on the map over the North Pole, thus beginning what would become an enduring tradition.
A news article from December 23, 1955, noted that the Continental Air Defense Command ensured Santa’s safe passage into the United States, humorously alluding to the dangers posed by “those who do not believe in Christmas.”
Some skeptics have raised questions around the authenticity of the story, suggesting details about how the boy dialed the number may have been exaggerated over time.
A tech news outlet in 2014 referenced a report from a child that claimed to have reversed numbers in the Sears phone listing.
The account included a potentially snarky response from Shoup, suggesting he had concerns about more menacing figures than Santa during the Cold War.
In another critical piece years later, a magazine presented skepticism about the vast number of children that supposedly dialed the secret line, while admitting that Shoup was adept at handling media relations.
In the midst of those debates, Shoup’s strategic move to keep Santa on the tracking map served both a morale-boosting purpose and a positive public relations opportunity during a tense period.
Shoup passed away in 2009, but friends and family have since shared fond memories, emphasizing that it all stemmed from the unexpected misprint in the advertisement.
Gerry Bowler, a Canadian historian, communicated that NORAD’s ongoing Santa tradition is a rare modern addition to the centuries-old lore of Santa Claus.
While many commercial enterprises have tried to redefine Santa for marketing gain, NORAD’s approach incorporates technology to add a new chapter to the age-old tale.
In a recent conversation, Air Force Lt. Gen. Case Cunningham explained that NORAD’s radar systems positioned in Alaska and Canada are the first to detect Santa’s departure from the North Pole, directing him westward to follow the night.
“Interestingly, Rudolph’s glowing red nose emits significant heat, allowing our satellites to track him,” Cunningham detailed.
To make tracking easier, NORAD provides an app and a specific website that will allow visitors to follow Santa’s journey on Christmas Eve, from early morning until midnight.
Moreover, live operators are available via phone to answer any questions regarding Santa’s whereabouts throughout the day.