The North American Aerospace Defense Command, also known as NORAD, is a United States and Canada joint organization that provides "aerospace warning, aerospace control, and maritime wanting for North America." Seems like a serious endeavor, right? Well, once a year, NORAD has a specific target that they are very well aware of, even going to the extent of tracking him all around the world: Santa Claus.
Videos by Wide Open Country
NORAD Tracks Santa began all the way back in 1955. The tale narrates that an innocent young child attempted to reach Santa Claus by dialing a phone number printed in a newspaper ad. Unbeknownst to the child, the printed ad misprinted Santa's phone number. This child, instead, called Air Force Col. Harry Shoup, the commander on duty at the Continental Air Defense Command Operations Center in Colorado.
"Is this Santa Claus?" asked the innocent child to Shoup. Caught by surprise, Shoup decided to not burst the child's bubble and answered in perfect Santa:" Ho-ho-ho! Yes, I am Santa Claus. Have you been a good boy?" And while Shoup was a good boy himself, he ended up receiving a multitude of calls from children asking for the North Pole man who delivers gifts every year.
Shoup would instruct his crew to answer as Santa Claus and even reported Santa sighting to a local radio station. Even though Shoup's story and his retelling throughout the years have gathered a decent amount of skeptics, it is still a tradition that has millions of children on the verge of their seats or waiting at their chimneys for Santa Claus to arrive, to then later to report Santa's sightings to NORAD.
How To Track Santa Claus
"A little-known fact is that Rudolph's nose emits a significant heat signature, making it easy for us to track Santa's sleigh," Air Force Lt Gen. Case Cunningham told the Associated Press. While not short of being a fantasy tale, nowadays tracking Santa is a whole lot different than the decades before.
If you wish to track Santa Claus, all you need to do is access the Norad Tracks Santa website. There, you will see the lovely fellow and his raindeers flying across the globe, as Christmas Day arrives in each region of the world. Although obsolete due to today's technological advancements, children can also call NORAD's hotline at 1-877-HI-NORAD to report Santa's whereabouts.
Volunteers will answer the calls from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. ET on Christmas Day, according to Firstpost.
