
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
The most effective method to Guarantee Thorough Inclusion in Senior Protection. - 2
What to know about the hepatitis B shot — and why Trump officials are targeting it - 3
Warming winters lead to more nitrate pollution in the drinking water near farms - 4
How a cocktail of rogue storms and climate chaos unleashed deadly flooding across Asia - 5
From Specialist to Proficient Picture taker: Individual Triumphs
Former Peruvian President Pedro Castillo sentenced for conspiracy
Manual for 10 Scrumptious Specialty Mixed drinks
Cuba says 33 have died of mosquito-borne illnesses as epidemic rages
Italian police hold suspected boss of Naples Mafia's Mazzarella Clan
IDF destroys two-kilometer-long Gaza terror tunnel in Beit Lahiya
Excited visitors for NASA's moon launch jockey for prime views
Poll: Only 25% of Americans think Trump has 'followed through' on his promise to release the Epstein files
Shredded cheese sold in dozens of states recalled due to potential for metal fragment contamination
Guaranteeing Quality Medical care with Federal medical care Benefit Plans.













