A Christmas tradition with a military origin
THUNDER BAY – LIVING – Every Christmas Eve, families around the world follow NORAD Tracks Santa—a playful “mission” in which the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) shares updates on Santa’s journey. Today it’s one of NORAD’s best-known public outreach programs, supported by large teams of volunteers and a mix of phone, web, and app updates.
How it started in 1955: a wrong number and a right decision
The tradition traces back to 1955, when a department store advertisement printed a phone number for kids to call “Santa”—but the number mistakenly routed to a military command centre in Colorado Springs (then CONAD, NORAD’s predecessor).
A duty officer, often identified in accounts as Col. Harry Shoup, chose to reassure the children rather than hang up.
The calls kept coming, and the idea stuck.
From CONAD to NORAD: the tradition continues
As North American air defence evolved, NORAD was established in 1958, but the Christmas Eve “Santa tracking” continued as a yearly feature—eventually becoming an expected part of holiday programming across North America.
Going digital: websites, apps, and “Santa Cam”
For decades, NORAD’s updates were shared through phone lines, radio, and television. The modern era arrived in 1997, when NORAD launched an internet presence so families could follow along online. Over time, the tracker added interactive maps, videos, and social media updates.
How NORAD “tracks” Santa today
NORAD describes the program as a large-scale holiday outreach effort, with volunteers staffing phone lines and supporting online updates that attract millions of visitors. Families can check Santa’s location through the official site and hotline.
The Canadian connection—and why it resonates in Northwestern Ontario
NORAD is a binational U.S.–Canada command, and Canadians have long been part of the story and the tradition. For families in Thunder Bay and across Northwestern Ontario, NORAD Tracks Santa has become a simple, cozy Christmas Eve ritual—especially as kids watch Santa move across time zones, inching closer to home.
Local tip: If you’re following from Thunder Bay, Santa’s “arrival” on the tracker tends to feel more real as updates roll through Eastern and Central time zones—perfect for keeping little ones entertained while the kettle boils and the snow falls.
The Last Word:
How NORAD Tracks Santa began in 1955, evolved online, and became a Christmas Eve tradition.
