
It’s back! In what has become an annual ritual for millions on Christmas Eve, the North American Aerospace Defense Command, or NORAD, is tracking Santa Claus’s journey from the North Pole to deliver gifts to children across the globe.
NORAD’s Santa Claus tracker website — NORADSanta.org — includes a map that allows users to track Santa’s location in real time. The site attracts tens of millions of visitors every year.
Beginning at midnight on Christmas Eve, the site utilizes satellite mapping technology and digital animation to simulate the route of Santa’s reindeer and sleigh.
The tracker also features a live count of gifts delivered by Jolly Old St. Nick. At the time of this publication, that figure was more than 1.3 billion.
NORAD’s history of tracking Santa
The practice began in 1955 when a child accidentally called the unlisted number of what was then the Continental Air Defense Command Operations Center, asking for Santa Claus.
Not wanting to disappoint the young caller, Air Force Col. Harry Shoup, the command center’s director of operations, “instructed his staff to check the radar for indications of Santa making his way south from the North Pole,” according to NORAD. Each year since, NORAD has dutifully reported Santa’s location on Dec. 24 to millions of children and families.
The binational military organization, based in Colorado Springs, Colo., eventually enlisted volunteers to answer a dedicated phone line to give updates on Santa’s whereabouts. In recent years, those volunteers have included pop stars, presidents and first ladies.
And the hotline still exists: You can call 877-HI-NORAD (877-446-6723) to reach one of the call center’s operators. (President Trump is scheduled to field NORAD Santa calls from Palm Beach, Fla., on Wednesday afternoon.) Last Christmas Eve, it logged more than 300,000 calls.
Just don’t ask when Santa will arrive at your house.
“NORAD tracks Santa, but only Santa knows his route, which means we cannot predict where and when he will arrive at your house,” the organization explains on its FAQ page. “We do, however, know from history that it appears he arrives only when children are asleep!”
LATEST POSTS
- 1
Setbacks in Texas and elsewhere put Republicans' redistricting hopes in doubt as key deadlines loom - 2
Damaged launch pad: How long before Russia can send astronauts to the ISS again? - 3
How to watch 'A Charlie Brown Christmas' for free this weekend - 4
Which restaurants and fast food chains will be open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day? - 5
Advocacy groups react after Mattel introduces 1st Barbie doll with autism
Getting through a Lifelong Change: Individual Examples of overcoming adversity
Modern surgery began with saws and iron hands – how amputation transformed the body in the Renaissance
Minneapolis ICE shooting live updates: Protests continue over agent's killing of Renee Nicole Good; Walz puts National Guard on standby
Earth’s magnetic field protects life on Earth from radiation, but it can move, and the magnetic poles can even flip
The most effective method to Pick The Right Speakers
Eco-Accommodating Kitchen Machines: 4 Picks for a Manageable Home
FDA official discusses potential link between COVID-19 vaccines and pediatric deaths
'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' Season 3 premieres tomorrow. Here's what you need to know to catch up.
Figure out How to Store Your Gold Ventures: A Thorough Aide safely











