The NORAD Santa Tracker tradition started in 1955 when Sears published an ad inviting kids to call Santa with a phone number that was misprinted and actually routed to the US military. Instead of dismissing the childrens’ calls, Colonel Harry Shoup answered and told the kids they were tracking Sant

The NORAD Santa Tracker tradition started in 1955 when Sears published an ad inviting kids to call Santa with a phone number that was misprinted and actually routed to the US military. Instead of dismissing the childrens’ calls, Colonel Harry Shoup answered and told the kids they were tracking Sant

Title: The Accidental Magic: How a Misprinted Ad Launched the Beloved NORAD Santa Tracker Tradition

Every December, millions of families worldwide tune in to NORAD’s Santa Tracker, a heartwarming holiday tradition that lets children follow Santa Claus’s journey on Christmas Eve. But few know its origin story—a tale of human kindness, military ingenuity, and a typo that sparked a global phenomenon.

A Typo That Changed Christmas Forever

In 1955, Sears Roebuck & Co. placed a newspaper ad inviting kids to call Santa Claus directly. The ad listed a phone number for Sears’ “Santa Hotline”—but it contained a fateful misprint. Instead of connecting to the retailer, the number routed straight to the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD), the predecessor to today’s North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD).

Colonel Harry Shoup, the Director of Operations at CONAD, answered the first of many late-night calls that December. Expecting a high-level military alert, he was greeted by a child’s eager voice asking, “Are you really Santa?”

Colonel Shoup’s Heartwarming Response

Rather than dismissing the call, Colonel Shoup leaned into the magic. He assured the child CONAD would help Santa navigate safely around the world. His team quickly mobilized, checking radar for signs of Santa’s sleigh and fielding more calls with updates on Santa’s location.

The tradition was born.

From Military Command to Holiday Phenomenon

When NORAD replaced CONAD in 1958, it adopted the Santa mission, using its cutting-edge technology—radar, satellites, and fighter jets—to “track” Santa’s route. By the 1990s, the tracker went digital, evolving into today’s interactive NORAD Tracks Santa website and app. Features include:

• A 3D Santa Tracker map
• Live updates from “Santa cams”
• Games and educational content
• Multilingual support (over 200 countries!)

Why NORAD’s Santa Tracker Endures

What began as a serendipitous error reflects the power of kindness and storytelling:

1. A Legacy of Joy: Colonel Shoup’s playful response turned a potential PR mishap into a holiday institution.
2. Global Community: Volunteers now handle over 150,000 calls and emails annually, spreading cheer in over 15 languages.
3. Tech Meets Wonder: NORAD blends military-grade systems with whimsy, letting kids marvel at Santa’s “supersonic” sleigh.

Experience the Magic Yourself

Join the 30+ million annual users tracking Santa on Christmas Eve! Visit noradsanta.org starting December 1st for daily holiday activities and live tracking on December 24th.

Keywords: NORAD Santa Tracker, Christmas traditions, Colonel Harry Shoup, Santa tracking history, holiday origins, NORAD Tracks Santa

Meta Description: Discover how a 1955 misprinted Sears ad accidentally launched NORAD’s Santa Tracker—a holiday tradition blending military tech and childhood wonder. Learn Col. Shoup’s heartwarming story!

Engagement Tip: Share this story to celebrate how a simple act of kindness can create timeless joy. Will you be tracking Santa this year? 🎅✨

Sources: NORAD, Smithsonian Magazine, The Shoup Family Archives.