A child’s call to a military hotline in 1955, prompted by a Sears advertising error, led to the creation of the NORAD Santa Tracker, a Christmas tradition that has delighted millions worldwide.
In December 1955, a child called what he thought was Santa’s direct number, advertised in a Sears holiday campaign. Instead, he reached Colonel Harry Shoup at the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD), now NORAD. Though initially confused, Shoup quickly embraced the moment, playing along as Santa for the young caller.
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 Sears ad had listed the military hotline by mistake, leading to a flood of calls. Shoup assigned staff to respond as Santa, turning what could have been a nuisance into a heartwarming tradition.
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 team added a sleigh and reindeer to a radar tracking board. Shoup approved the addition and contacted a local radio station to announce Santa’s “flight.” This marked the beginning of NORAD’s Santa Tracker.
Since then, the program has grown exponentially. By the 1970s, Santa’s journey was broadcast on television, and today families can track him via a website, mobile apps, and a dedicated hotline. The program now includes updates in nine languages and reaches millions of families globally.
With more than 1,250 volunteers answering calls and emails each year, the Santa Tracker has become a cherished part of Christmas. Shoup’s daughter, Terri, continues to participate, ensuring her father’s legacy lives on.
