NORAD Santa Tracker Marks Nearly 70 Years of Holiday Tradition

The annual program began in 1955 after a misprinted phone number connected a child to a military command center, evolving into a beloved global event.

The NORAD Santa Tracker originated in 1955 when a child mistakenly called a military command center due to a misprinted Sears advertisement.
Air Force Colonel Harry Shoup answered the call and played along as Santa Claus, starting a tradition that NORAD adopted upon its formation in 1958.
Each year, over 100,000 children call NORAD to inquire about Santa's location, while millions track his journey online in real time across nine languages.
The tracker uses NORAD's military radar and satellite systems, with Rudolph's glowing red nose acting as a heat source for detection.
The program has continued uninterrupted for decades, even during government shutdowns, thanks to local and corporate sponsorships.