A Misprinted Phone Number Created The NORAD Santa Tracker

A seemingly small mistake in 1955 started with a child’s call to a Pentagon emergency hotline, leading to one of the most enduring Christmas traditions—the NORAD Santa Tracker. What began as an accidental connection is now a global celebration that delights millions of families every Christmas Eve.

The story begins during the height of the Cold War when a Sears ad mistakenly printed the hotline number for the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD), which later became NORAD. The red phone was reserved for emergencies, but that December, it rang with an unexpected request: “Is this Santa Claus?”

Colonel Harry Shoup, the commanding officer, initially thought it was a prank. However, when he realized it was a child calling, he played along, transforming a potential annoyance into a magical moment. “Dad assigned airmen to answer the phone as Santa,” said Shoup’s daughter, Terri Van Keuren.

Shoup’s quick thinking sparked a tradition. Staff added a sleigh and reindeer to an aircraft tracking board, and Shoup called a radio station to report a sleigh in the skies. This creative move captured the public’s imagination, and the Santa Tracker was born.

In the decades since, NORAD’s efforts to track Santa have grown exponentially. By the 1960s, updates were sent to radio stations, and by the 1970s, Santa’s journey was broadcast on television. Today, families can follow his progress online, through a free app, or by calling the NORAD hotline. The website supports nine languages, ensuring the tradition is accessible worldwide.

Colonel Shoup, who served in three wars, considered the Santa Tracker one of his proudest achievements. His legacy lives on, bringing holiday cheer to millions around the globe.