Santa Claus has started his journey around the world delivering gifts and the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) is continuing its tradition of tracking the jolly old man.
According to NORAD, the story of how the tradition began is as follows:
“It all started in 1955 when a local newspaper advertisement informed children they could call Santa directly – only the contact number in the advertisement was misprinted. Instead of reaching Santa, the phone rang through to the crew commander on duty, U.S. Air Force Colonel Harry Shoup, at the Continental Air Defense Command Operations Center, the predecessor to NORAD. Col. Shoup was quick to realize a mistake had been made, and assured the child he was Santa. Shoup then assigned a duty officer to continue answering calls. Thus, a tradition was born, and continued when NORAD was formed in 1958. Each year since, NORAD has reported Santa’s location on Dec. 24 to millions of children and families.”
Beginning on Dec. 24, anyone looking to find Santa’s current location can call 1-877-HiNORAD. Updates are also available here.
