Learn about the NORAD Santa tracker history here!
In a time where some believe we are too much of a digital society, we think blending the magic of Christmas and technology is truly a magical experience. One of our favorite ways to do this is with the NORAD Santa Tracker! There’s nothing like watching Santa make his way around the world on Christmas eve with cutting edge technology.
The Origins of NORAD Santa Tracker
The story of the NORAD Santa Tracker begins with a heartwarming tale of a wrong number. In 1955, a Sears Roebuck & Co. advertisement misprinted the phone number for children to call Santa Claus. Instead of reaching Santa, the calls were directed to the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD), NORAD’s predecessor. Colonel Harry Shoup, who answered the calls, embraced the holiday spirit and began providing updates on Santa’s whereabouts.
This heartwarming tradition has since evolved into the NORAD Santa Tracker we know today. Now, the website receives nearly fifteen million unique visitors from more than 200 countries and territories around the world!
How The NORAD Santa Tracker Works
Santa Tracker Features and Highlights
Interactive Website