[UPDATED FOR December 17, 2012: We're bringing back our readers' all-time favorite post, updated for 2012, along with info on the new eBook version of NORAD's story...]
One of America’s key weapons in defense of its homeland is NORAD, the North American Aerospace Defense Command. With its slogan of “Deter, Detect, Defend” its stated mission is as follows:
The North American Aerospace Defense Command conducts aerospace warning, aerospace control and maritime warning in the defense of North America.
Image: Old NORAD Tracks Santa poster. Source: NORAD
What does “aerospace warning” consist of? It includes “the monitoring of man-made objects in space, and the detection, validation, and warning of attack against North America whether by aircraft, missiles, or space vehicles, through mutual support arrangements with other commands.”
One of the most unusual but beloved “objects in space” NORAD has had the responsibility for monitoring is none other than Santa Claus.
How did tracking Santa Claus become part of NORAD’s mission? It all began with a typo.
Tinsel typo
‘Twas the night before Christmas, December 24, 1955, when a Sears Roebuck & Co. department store placed an advertisement in a Colorado Springs newspaper telling children that they could telephone Santa Claus directly.
It featured a big picture of St. Nick, a phone number and these instructions, “Hey, Kiddies! Call me direct…Call me on my private phone and I will talk to you personally any time day or night.” Ironically, the ad also cautioned, “Kiddies, be sure and dial the correct number!”
Image: 1955 Sears ad with NORAD number. Source: NORAD
Unfortunately, the paper misprinted the phone number, listing instead the top secret hotline that was used only in national emergencies to alert CONAD (the Continental Air Defense Command–NORAD’s predecessor) if the Soviets were attacking!
The “Santa Colonel”
U.S. Air Force Col. Harry Shoup, CONAD’s director of operations, grabbed the red emergency phone, thinking an attack was imminent.
According to Shoup’s account, he answered, thinking it was his general, “Sir, are you there?”
Image: Col. Harry Shoup, the “Santa Colonel” Source: NORAD
Instead, a little 6 year-old boy’s voice came over the phone asking, “Are you really Santa Claus?” Shoup, thinking it was a prank, barked into the phone asking “Would you repeat that?” and demanding to know who was calling. At this point, the little voice started crying, and asked tentatively, “Is this one of Santa’s elves, then?”
Soon the phone began ringing off the hook with kids wanting to talk to Santa, so once they figured out the error, Shoup decided to play along and instructed his team to act as Santa’s helpers. He had his radar operators check the radar for indications of Santa making his way south from the North Pole.
Image: A 1955 red hotline phone. Source: VintageRotaryPhones.com
Children who called were given updates on the current location of St. Nick and his reindeer-drawn flying sleigh, and a beloved annual Christmas tradition was born.
Shoup became known as the “Santa Colonel,” a moniker he cherished until his death, his daughter says.
Santa Tracker goes high-tech
In 1958 Canada joined the alliance and CONAD became NORAD, which carried on the Santa mission. Originally, Santa tracking updates were delivered via radio broadcasts and of course, calling the Santa Tracking hotline, but with the introduction of the Internet, Santa tracking went online by Christmas 1997.
Guarding What You Value Most: North American Aerospace Defense Command Celebrating 50 Years, the seminal publication documenting NORAD’s illustrious 50-year history, provides easy-to-follow timelines of key NORAD events along with copious color photographs, maps and snippets of history of this important organization.
The publication proudly covers the history of its favorite mission— Santa tracking— stating:
“Today, using the same technology used to perform their day-to-day mission— satellites, high-powered radars and jet fighters— NORAD tracks Santa Claus as he makes his Yuletide journey around the world.”
Specifically, NORAD’s Santa site says that it uses four different high-tech systems to track Santa–radar, satellites, Santa Cams and fighter jets:
Tracking Santa starts with the NORAD radar system called the North Warning System. This powerful radar system consists of 47 installations strung across the northern border of North America. On Christmas Eve, NORAD monitors the radar systems continuously for indications that Santa Claus has left the North Pole.
The moment that radar indicates Santa has lifted off, we use our second detection system. Satellites positioned in geo-synchronous orbit at 22,300 miles from the Earth’s surface are equipped with infrared sensors, which enable them to detect heat. Amazingly, Rudolph’s bright red nose gives off an infrared signature, which allows our satellites to detect Rudolph and Santa.
The third tracking system is the Santa Cam network. Santa Cams are ultra-cool, high-tech, high-speed digital cameras that are pre-positioned at many locations around the world to capture images and video.
The fourth system is made up of fighter jets. First, Canadian NORAD fighter pilots flying the CF-18 intercept and welcome Santa to North America. In the US, American NORAD fighter pilots in either the F-15 or the F-16 provide an escort flying alongside Santa and his famous reindeer.
Santa goes mobile… and Global!
[UPDATE DECEMBER 2012]:For Christmas 2012 Google is stepping aside to make room for other companies to help track Santa. Said a NORAD spokesperson: “This year, NTS and Google mutually agreed to go in new directions, and we are excited to welcome a number of new contributors, to include Microsoft, Windows Azure, Bing, and iLink-systems, among others, to help us in our mission of tracking Santa.“
Thanks to dozens of volunteer local translators, NORAD Tracks Santa website is now offered in 8 languages, including English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Japanese, and Chinese.
Listening along with the live computer video clips, many parents use this as an opportunity to give a fun world geography lesson as the family follows Santa’s path around the world. Volunteer military personnel give running commentary and interesting tidbits about the cities as Santa passes through. For example, did you know that NORAD’s satellites and radar clocked Santa’s sleigh going 100 times faster than the Japanese bullet train?
How many “elves” does it take to track “Big Red”?
Today, children young and old all over the world can call in or email NORAD on Christmas Eve to find out just where Santa is, or, since Santa went digital, follow along on NORAD’s cutting edge web site.
NORAD has over a thousand volunteers every year (in 2008 there were 1,275) from Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps personnel and their families, who record audio and come in to NORAD on Christmas Eve to staff the phones and answer emails to anxious children wanting to know if here comes Santa Claus right down their particular Santa Claus Lane… Meanwhile engineers ensure the tracking systems are on target and U.S. fighter jets stand ready to escort the “celebrity” that NORAD calls “Big Red” as he passes through U.S. air space.
How can you track Santa on Christmas Eve?
So, on the night before Christmas, when not a creature is stirring, you might want to rouse your mouse– uh, your computer version, of course– and surf over to NoradSanta.org or call 1-877-HI-NORAD (1.877.446.6723) from North America to find out when Santa Claus is coming to YOUR town. (By the way, Santa’s helpers at NORAD are great at reminding the kids to go to bed because Santa is near and won’t stop if they’re awake!)
Image: How the Air Force and NORAD Tracks Santa Claus video at NORAD location in Cheyenne Mountain. Source: Around the Air Force news special, December 2005.
Starting at 4am Eastern Time on December 24, you can:
Track Santa Online: Logon to www.NoradSanta.org.- Call the Santa Hotline: From the United States or Canada, call
1-877-HI-NORAD (1-877-446-6723). - Maps: Follow Santa on Cesium and Bing Maps, starting 4am ET on December 24th.
- Mobile Apps: Download a free mobile app either from iTunes App Store or for Android devices.
While You Wait: While you’re waiting for the tracking to begin, all December (or year-round) you can play some of the many fun games on their Countdown Village page on their web site, and stop by the NORAD Tracks Santa Facebook page to show your appreciation.
How can I get a copy of “Guarding What You Value Most: North American Aerospace Defense Command Celebrating 50 Years, the wonderful hardcover book of 50 years of NORAD history chock full of color photos and anecdotes, including the Santa Tracker story?
- You can buy it at GPO’s online bookstore.
- You can find it in a library
- [UPDATED FOR Dec. 2012]: And now, you can also buy it as an eBook on Google Play or the Apple iTunes iBookstore.
About the Author: Michele Bartram is Promotions Manager for GPO’s Publication and Information Sales Division and is responsible for online and offline marketing of the US Government Online Bookstore (Bookstore.gpo.gov) and promoting Federal government content to the public. She has been a faithful NORAD Tracks Santa fan for years!
I just added this blog to my google reader, great stuff. Can not get enough!
What’s up, I check your new stuff on a regular basis. Your humoristic style is awesome, keep doing what you’re doing!
Keep on working, great job!
norad, you guys are the BEST. just as now, each and EVERY time i read about it i cry. when i used to drive a school bus, i’d give all my younger kids the NORADSANTA website. many of my parents thanked me profusely for this. hey, santa’s the man!!!
Many here at the Government Printing Office are NORAD Santa Tracker fans, too. They were some that clamored for me to re-post this, along with customers. I’ve been a fan for years, and have now introduced my little nephews to it. I’m sure the kids on your bus and parents were fans of you, too! Thanks for your comment and Happy New Year!
This Santa Tracker reaffirms my faith in goodness and sweetness every year, late in the year, when my reservoirs of positive thinking run low. Please don’t ever stop tracking Santa for kids of all ages.
It seems like this year, more than ever, we needed the reminder that there are good people in this world! Thanks for your comments…
[...] Read Tracking “Big Red”: NORAD’s Secret Santa Mission to learn how a typo led to a 56 years of NORAD tracking Santa: http://govbooktalk.gpo.gov/2012/12/17/norad-santa-tracker/ [...]
[...] How did NORAD become a part of tracking Santa? [...]
Thanks
I have to say that i have been extremely amazed with the quality and information on this blog site and I will undoubtedly be back for some more reading and I would say it is also worth a bookmark!
This is a great blog and its contributions is very high amoung to readers thanks for sharing
“Thank you!” to NORAD and the thousands of volunteers, both past and present, who help to keep us all believing in the Christmas Spirit, and Santa himself.
We track Santa every year, our children love it ! For some reason this year it didn’t seem to work as good in the UK !
Hi! Merry Christmas. It’s a very nice charming ride with Santa Claus. Thanks of gratitude to you for bringing me to that world of sweet mild fantasy. Ripon #
Hello world I suggested an increase in the discussions and comments on matters of interests of visitors life and work , thank you.
What other specific topics were you hoping to see on the Government Book Talk blog? As it says on the ABOUT tab, the current focus of this blog is to feature only Federal Government publications, past and present:
There are not as many travel and tourism-related publications being produced by the Federal Government these days, so we are focusing on other noteworthy books, journals, forms and so forth.
Happy New Year 2012. Its an interesting story.
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This is wonderful. I am crying with joy reading the grace epitomized here. It is American and Canada at their best. Thank you beyond words.
This is the most caring and warm story I have read in a long time. It’s funny how tradition start, thanks to a misprint and a really nice guy.
Judy- Thanks so much for your comments! I have to say, this was the most fun I’ve had writing a blog post in a while. It’s nice to read about just one of the many random acts of kindness performed every day by government employees.
Awesome story. Thanks for sharing. Merry Christmas.
“Thank you!” to NORAD and the thousands of volunteers, both past and present, who help to keep us all believing in the Christmas Spirit, and Santa himself. My sons both track Santa’s every movement until they are “told” by none other than NORAD that they’d better get in to bed or risk upsetting the delicate schedule Santa has worked out. You represent the best that America has to offer its children: kindness, good will, and “guarding what matters most.” Merry Christmas to you all.
Thanks, Hunter. I’ll pass on your kind words to the good folks at NORAD. Merry Christmas to you!
[...] [1] NORAD Tracks Santa – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [2] Tracking ‘Big Red’: NORAD’s Secret Santa Mission … [3] NORAD Santa Tracker Keeps Track of St. Nick on… | Gather [4] Santa Tracker 2011 for Kids [...]
Happy holiday, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year ! God Bless U all
What a great story! It does illustrate what America does best, and in such a charming way. Your nephews will be online tracking Santa this year, thanks to your story.
A Magical Christmas to all
Pat B.
Thanks, Mom! That’s big praise coming from you, the great writer and artist in the family! Merry Christmas! – Michele
I love the Santa tracking each year. Even though I am now 70 years old I still and always will believe in Santa. Yes, my name is Virginia
Well, Virginia, I live in Virginia, so is that close enough?
Who would have thought that NORAD would help keep the magic and belief alive for so many! It’s fun to read comments on NORAD’s Facebook page and other sites. One fan says “I love tracking Santa!!! I think I will do it even when my kids are grown LOL.” Another fan on NORAD’s Facebook page said, “Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU, NORAD, for what you did to entertain my seven-year-old, who at least partly still “believes” because of your efforts. Watching NORAD track Santa is now our family tradition and we are grateful!” And a favorite comment I read was, “Thanks so much for what you do tracking Santa is a big part of Christmas eve in our house and really adds to the magic.” Even we adults need a little magic now and then, don’t you agree? Merry Christmas!
Thank you for posting such a wonderful story!
Melissa: Thank YOU for enjoying it and letting us know… It makes it all worthwhile!
[...] Book Talk has a good writeup on the story also. (Oh, and I am expecting a copy of “Guarding What You Value Most: North American [...]
I was born into a military family in 1953, so I remember “those simpler days.” I have to say that I’m agnostic-bordering-on-atheist and often say “bah humbug!” this time of year. Nonetheless, I found this bit of history quite enchanting. Who’d'a thunk it?!?!
Thanks, NORAD, Santa Col., and Michele as well as GPO.
Thanks so much! The “Santa Colonel” and NORAD definitely showed with their 56-year commitment that they really do care about “Guarding what matters most”: our kids! Happy Holidays! – Michele
Glad to hear my tax dollars are doing something I approve of, haha! What a wonderful heartwarming story!
Thanks, Felice! – Michele
A wonderful article, always wondered how NORAD started tracking Santa Claus!!!… and so glad it is Santa and NOT missiles!!!..smile..
You and yours have a safe and Merry Christmas and may all your presents be filled with love and happiness!!!..
Thank you, Larry… Happy holidays to you and yours, too, and log on to the NORAD Santa Tracker this Saturday; it’s a lot of fun!
Its awesome how tracking santa evolves with the advancement of technology! Love the story!
Great news from the U. S. Government Printing Office:
“Deputy Public Printer Davita Vance-Cooks, the first female to be appointed to that position, and Public Printer Bill Boarman…”
Happy Xmas and Happy New year, GBT / GPO!!!
Radar, Ritual, Hi Tech, And Child Imagination……
All the ideas in the world come from Child Imagination. When they grow-up much ideas erupt and screen among them, but we just a little to sort its. We need a radar that also hi tech to detect what would they want. By ritual-games like once who the people fans, they could imagine by role-play “NORAD’s Secret Santa Mission”. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2012….
…didn’t know this story…really lovely and quite interesting.
By the way, thanks a lot for the always very interesting posts.
Happy Christmas and Happy New Year!
Thank you so much for the kind words. Everyone here at GPO really loved that story when I told them about it in the NORAD Celebrating 50 Years book, so I knew that I had to write about it this week. We all need a smile this time of year… Happy Holidays to you and yours!