In December 1955, a child’s call turned a military hotline into one of the world’s most cherished Christmas traditions: the NORAD Santa Tracker. What began as a mix-up in a Sears holiday ad has grown into a global phenomenon that delights families every Christmas Eve.
The story unfolded at the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD), now known as NORAD, when a red phone—reserved for military emergencies—rang unexpectedly. Colonel Harry Shoup, the commanding officer, answered to find a young boy asking for Santa. Surprised but quick to respond, Shoup played along, realizing the call wasn’t a prank.
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 advertisement inviting children to call Santa directly, but the printed number mistakenly connected to the highly classified military line. Calls kept coming, and Shoup assigned his staff to answer them as Santa Claus, transforming a potential nuisance into a magical moment for children.
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, the tradition took flight when staff humorously added a sleigh and reindeer to a radar tracking board. Shoup embraced the creativity, calling a local radio station to announce, “We’ve spotted Santa’s sleigh on our radar.” This marked the official start of the Santa Tracker.
Over the decades, the program expanded significantly. By the 1960s, radio stations broadcast updates, and by the 1970s, Santa’s journey was televised. Today, families worldwide can follow Santa through a dedicated website, mobile apps, and even voice assistants like Alexa.
With more than 1,250 volunteers answering calls and emails from children around the world, the Santa Tracker remains a holiday favorite. Colonel Shoup, who passed away in 2009, left behind a legacy of joy, carried on by his family and the many volunteers who ensure the tradition continues.
