
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
Witness the elegance of the cosmic butterfly in a remarkable telescope photo - 2
NASA is sending astronauts back to the moon. Can you see the Artemis 4 landing sites from Earth? - 3
Vote In favor of Your Number one Kind Of Food Conveyance Administration - 4
Why More Couples Are Choosing Africa For Their Honeymoon - 5
Banks for High Fixed Store Rates: Amplify Your Reserve funds
The Secret Destinations Amex Says Will Be More Popular Than Bali by 2026
The best movies to watch this holiday season: Stream 'A Christmas Story Christmas,' revisit 'The Night Before' and discover 'The Baltimorons'
'No Kings' protests live updates: More than 8 million turned out across all 50 states, organizers say
Figure out How to Stay away from Normal Handshaking Missteps
Home Plan Tips for Seniors
The Longest Underwater Tunnel Connecting Germany and Denmark
After fleeing past Hezbollah fighting, some Israelis on northern border vow to stay
Taylor Swift changes 2 song lyrics on 'Reputation' on the night of her Eras tour documentary premiere
Islamic State group militants claim capture and execution of a Nigerian brigadier general











