Ever wonder when and why Norad started tracking Santa Claus? You hear about it every year, but how did a government agency, responsible for the greatest aviation surveillance project in the world, get started in the business of tracking Santa?
According to Norad, the tradition began in 1955 after a Colorado Springs based sears Roebuck & Co. Advertisement misprinted the telephone number for children to call Santa. Instead of reaching Santa, the phone number put kids through to the Commander-in-chief’s operations “hotline.” The Director of Operations at the time, 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.
You can track Santa on the Norad website, Norad Santa or call Norad for Santa Claus updates at 1-877-HI-NORAD.
