Every year, millions of children and adults around the world eagerly await the arrival of Santa Claus on Christmas Eve. But how do they know where he is and when he will reach their homes?
Thanks to the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), they can track Santa’s flight online, by phone, or by voice assistant, and enjoy a variety of festive activities and games on the NORAD Tracks Santa website.
NORAD is a bi-national organization that defends the airspace of the United States and Canada, and monitors the activities in the space and maritime domains Since 1955, NORAD has also taken on the mission of tracking Santa Claus, using its sophisticated radar, satellite, and jet fighter systems.
The tradition began when a Sears Roebuck & Co. advertisement in Colorado Springs, Colorado, mistakenly printed the phone number of NORAD’s predecessor, the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD), instead of a Santa hotline. The director of operations at the time, Colonel Harry Shoup, decided to play along and instructed his staff to check the radar for signs of Santa. Since then, NORAD has continued the legacy of tracking Santa every Christmas Eve and sharing his location and status with the public.
This year, NORAD Tracks Santa is celebrating its 68th anniversary, and has launched a new and improved website, Noradsanta.org, which offers family-friendly games, videos, and information about Santa and NORAD. The website is available in eight languages: English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, and Chinese.
The website also features a countdown clock to Christmas Eve, when the tracking map will go live at 6 a.m. EST. Users can follow Santa’s progress as he delivers gifts to children across the globe, and see images and videos of his journey captured by NORAD’s Santa Cams.
In addition to the website, users can also track Santa by calling the toll-free number, 1-877-Hi-NORAD (1-877-446-6723), where they can speak to a live operator who will provide updates on Santa’s whereabouts. The phone line will be open from 6 a.m. EST on December 24 to 4 a.m. EST on December 25.
Users can also track Santa by using voice assistants, such as Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri. They can ask, “Where is Santa?” or “How long until Santa arrives?” and get a response based on NORAD’s data.
NORAD Tracks Santa is a volunteer-based program that relies on the support of corporate partners, such as Amazon, Microsoft, Verizon, and others, to provide the technology and resources needed to track Santa.
NORAD Tracks Santa is a fun and educational way to celebrate the holiday season and learn more about NORAD’s mission and capabilities. It is also a way to spread joy and goodwill to people worldwide, especially during these challenging times. As NORAD’s commander, General Glen VanHerck, said, “NORAD Tracks Santa represents the good in our world and gives us a sense of hope, goodwill, and peace.”
Conclusion
NORAD Tracks Santa is a long-standing tradition that has delighted generations of children and adults alike. It is a unique and innovative way to use NORAD’s technology and expertise to track Santa Claus and share his magic and spirit with the world. It is also a way to showcase NORAD’s important role in defending and protecting North America and to foster cooperation and friendship between the United States and Canada. NORAD Tracks Santa is a gift that keeps on giving, and a reminder that Santa is always watching.
