Public anxieties about potential drone sightings have been prevalent in the Northeast. However, one highly anticipated sighting will soon bring holiday cheer across the nation: Santa Claus. The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) is once again prepared to track Santa and his reindeer as they journey around the world.
NORAD, responsible for protecting the skies over the United States and Canada, activates its Santa tracking system at 6 a.m. ET on Christmas Eve. Those eager to follow Santa’s journey can do so on NORAD’s website or by calling the command center at 1-877-HI-NORAD (1-877-446-6723). This annual Christmas tradition also offers access through the NORAD Tracks Santa app, social media, Amazon Alexa, OnStar, and SiriusXM.
This year marks the 69th anniversary of NORAD’s Santa tracking. The tradition began unexpectedly in 1955 when a misprinted newspaper advertisement directed children to call Santa directly. Instead, they reached the Continental Air Defense Command Operations Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Air Force Colonel Harry Shoup, answering the calls, quickly realized the mistake and, improvising, assured a child that he was indeed Santa. Subsequently, more calls came in, prompting Colonel Shoup to assign an officer to handle them, thus beginning a cherished tradition that continues to this day, carried on by NORAD after its formation in 1958.
Each year, NORAD’s Santa tracker website receives millions of visitors from around the globe, with volunteers typically answering over 130,000 calls.