The beloved NORAD Santa Tracker, a staple of Christmas celebrations worldwide, began with a child’s call that reached a military hotline instead of Santa Claus in 1955.
The red phone at the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD), reserved for national emergencies, rang one December day. Colonel Harry Shoup answered and was surprised to hear a child asking for Santa. Recognizing the call wasn’t a joke, Shoup played along, creating an unforgettable moment.
In December 1955 a child accidentally called a colonel at an air base in Colorado Springs asking for 'Santa' – all because of a misprint in a newspaper advert.
Colonel Harry Shoup answered the call. His daughter Terri tells the story of how the NORAD Santa Tracker begun 👇… pic.twitter.com/l0lepLS1Kw
— Sky News (@SkyNews) December 24, 2024
The mix-up stemmed from a Sears ad encouraging children to call Santa. A printing error in the ad directed the calls to the military line. When calls continued, Shoup assigned staff to respond as Santa Claus.
How NORAD's Santa tracker was ACCIDENTALLY launched by a child's call to a top secret phone linehttps://t.co/Sat5VOQOJ6
— Michael Rivero (@WRH_Mike_Rivero) December 25, 2023
On Christmas Eve, staff humorously added a sleigh and reindeer to an aircraft tracking board. Shoup approved the addition and contacted a local radio station to provide updates on Santa’s progress. The Santa Tracker was officially born.
Today, families can follow Santa online, through a free app, or by calling the hotline. The program has expanded to include updates in nine languages and draws more than 1,250 volunteers annually.
Colonel Shoup, who passed away in 2009, left behind a legacy of joy. His family continues to participate in the Santa Tracker, ensuring the tradition endures for generations to come.
