
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
Why don’t humans have hair all over their bodies? A biologist explains our lack of fur - 2
6 Objections for an Ocean side Wedding - 3
Nutrient Rich Natural products: Lift Your Wellbeing - 4
Investigating Design and Individual Style: Track down Your Remarkable Look - 5
State asks High Court to reject challenge to anti-UNRWA laws ahead of Monday hearing
Bird flu poses risk of pandemic worse than COVID, France's Institut Pasteur says
A red meat allergy from tick bites is spreading – and the lone star tick isn’t the only alpha-gal carrier to worry about
Netflix's 'Lord of the Flies' show blends 'Adolescence' and 'Yellowjackets'
Rick Steves Doesn't Want You Overlooking This Food Spot While In France
CDC changes kids' vaccine schedule, removing universal recommendation for some shots
Find the Historical backdrop of the Modern Unrest: Changing Society and Innovation
Flu cases are spiking earlier than usual. What you need to know.
Lilly becomes first healthcare firm to join trillion-dollar club, Wall Street reacts
Vote In favor of Your Favored Language Interpretation Administration













