As Christmas Eve approaches, children everywhere will eagerly watch the sky, hoping to catch a glimpse of Santa Claus. Instead of letting them gaze longingly at the stars, why not help them track Santa’s journey online? Thanks to the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), this is now easier than ever.
At precisely 2:01 a.m. EST on December 24, families can visit noradsanta.org to see Santa’s real-time location. Last year, the site received an impressive 22 million unique visitors. Kids can also download apps on their iPhone, Android, or Windows devices to follow Santa. For those who prefer social media, updates will be shared on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, keeping young fans in the loop about Santa’s travels.
If your little ones feel anxious watching the tracker, they can also speak to someone at NORAD’s Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado starting at 6 a.m. EST. A dedicated team of volunteers is ready to take calls and provide live updates. The tradition of tracking Santa began back in 1955, when a misprinted ad for Sears Roebuck & Co. inadvertently directed children to the operations hotline of CONAD. At that time, Colonel Mike Thompson and his team checked radar to find Santa as he made his way down from the North Pole.
NORAD soon took over the tradition, and since then, countless volunteers from the military and community have come together to continue this festive endeavor. According to spokesperson Lila Green, “It’s a huge team effort, and we appreciate everyone who contributes.” In 2016 alone, over 1,400 hotline volunteers answered a remarkable 154,192 calls, averaging 1.8 calls per second. While children delight in tracking Santa, NORAD also reminds them, “He’ll only visit your house if you’re asleep in bed.”
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In summary, tracking Santa has become an exciting holiday tradition that engages children and families alike. By leveraging online resources and phone calls, kids can feel connected to the magic of Christmas Eve.