New York: Santa Claus embarked on his annual Christmas Eve journey early this morning, flying across the globe in his reindeer-powered sleigh to deliver gifts to children worldwide. The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), based at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs, continues its 69-year tradition of tracking Santa’s movements in real time.
NORAD, a joint U.S.-Canadian military organization, has assured children and parents alike that the tracking would persist even if a U.S. government shutdown had occurred—a crisis narrowly averted over the weekend.
“Santa runs on the Christmas spirit, so any possible government actions would not affect his mission,” said Royal Canadian Air Force Major Jennie Derenzis, a spokesperson for NORAD. Military personnel at the base, tasked with monitoring air defenses and issuing aerospace warnings, were ready to keep Santa on their radar regardless. Most of the volunteers answering children’s calls about Santa’s location are civilians, Derenzis added.
A Tradition Born of Serendipity
NORAD’s Santa tracking tradition dates back to 1955 when a Colorado Springs newspaper inadvertently published the phone number for the Continental Air Defense Command, NORAD’s predecessor, as a way for children to reach Santa Claus. A quick-thinking officer on duty began answering the calls and assured children that Santa was on his way.
As tracking technology evolved, so did NORAD’s Santa program. Today, it combines cutting-edge systems with heartwarming tradition, ensuring families can follow Santa’s progress from the comfort of their homes.
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Real-Time Updates and Festive Fun
Santa enthusiasts can track his journey in real time at www.noradsanta.org, a multilingual website that features Santa’s North Pole Village. Visitors can enjoy a holiday countdown, games, music, a movie theater, and even shop for festive merchandise.
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The program also reaches audiences through social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and X, as well as services like Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM, and OnStar.
Whether it’s through a phone call, an app, or a website, NORAD ensures that children and families can keep the magic of Christmas alive by staying connected to Santa’s global flight.
