
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
Experience Unrivaled Sound: Top Speakers You Really want to Hear - 2
France to build new nuclear aircraft carrier, Macron says - 3
Scientists captured female sperm whales on video working together during a birth to protect the calf - 4
One-third of asylum applications by Iranians approved in Germany - 5
Germany raises prospect of military forces to secure Ukraine peace
Army commander convicted of Guinea stadium massacre dies in prison
Instructions to Pick the Best Album Rates for Your Investment funds
Culinary Joys: Investigating Connoisseur Cooking at Home
Insurance warning signs in doctors’ offices might discourage patients from speaking openly about their health
IDF Givati Brigade soldier arrested, charged in suspected Iran espionage
The Electric Bicycle Americans Can Confide in 2024
5 Superstar Couples That Motivate Relationship Objectives
Air Force made critical errors during October 7 massacre, investigator says
St George Mining hits record 178m high-grade intercept at Araxá, reinforcing global scale













