NORAD tracks Santa Claus for the world's children

William Atkins
Thursday, 24 December 2009 20:01

Science - Space

Every Christmas Eve NORAD — or, the North American Aerospace Defense Command — tracks the route of Santa Claus as he delivers his presents to all the children of the world. And, it’s all possible because of Rudolph’s red nose! Happy Holidays to all the children of the world, both those that are young and young-at-heart!

The holiday tradition of NORAD providing ground support for St. Nick started in 1955 when a newspaper in Colorado misprinted a Sears, Roebuck, and Company advertisement.

Specifically, the NORAD website explains why its super-smart facilities today provide this important festive service to the world on Christmas Eve. It states:

“For more than 50 years, NORAD and its predecessor, the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD) have tracked Santa’s Christmas Eve flight.”

“The tradition began in 1955 after a Colorado Springs-based Sears Roebuck & Co. advertisement for children to call Santa misprinted the telephone number. Instead of reaching Santa, the phone number put kids through to the CONAD Commander-in-Chief's operations ‘hotline.’”

“The Director of Operations at the time, Colonel Harry Shoup, had his staff check the radar for indications of Santa making his way south from the North Pole. Children who called were given updates on his location, and a tradition was born.”

Check out the NORAD Santa Site at: NORAD Tracks Santa.

The website also provides information on Santa’s Village, the progress of Santa’s Elves as they prepare the millions of presents to be given to children around the world, and on the answering of thousands of e-mails sent to the NORAD site.

Learn how to email NORAD's helpers in order to ask your questions about Santa at the email address on page two. You'll also find more information on just how NORAD tracks the Main Christmas Man on his journey around the world in his reindeer-powered sleigh.