A child’s call to a military hotline in 1955 has turned into a global Christmas tradition: the NORAD Santa Tracker. The story dates back to a simple mistake in a Sears holiday ad.
Colonel Harry Shoup answered the call, expecting an emergency, but instead heard a child asking for Santa Claus. Realizing the sincerity of the call, Shoup played along and soon had staff answering additional calls as Santa.
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 tradition took off when staff humorously added a sleigh and reindeer to a radar tracking board on Christmas Eve. Shoup called a local radio station to report that Santa had been spotted, sparking public interest in the new “tracker.”
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
Over the years, the tradition grew. By the 1960s, updates were sent to radio stations, and in the 1970s, Santa’s progress was broadcast on television. Today, families can track Santa online, through a free app, or by calling the NORAD hotline, which is supported by over 1,250 volunteers each year.
The Santa Tracker’s website is available in nine languages, ensuring global participation. The effort has become a multigenerational tradition, with volunteers including military members, civilians, and even Colonel Shoup’s family.
Shoup, who passed away in 2009, left behind a legacy of joy and holiday magic. His quick thinking turned a potential mishap into a cherished tradition, now celebrated by millions around the world.
