Regardless of its origins, NORAD Tracks Santa grew from there into something that kids have looked forward to for generations.

If you’re curious about Santa’s whereabouts, never fear – the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) has you covered! It originally started in 1955 when a newspaper offered a phone number for children to call and find out exactly where Santa was at that exact time.

This 60-year tradition actually started as a mistake, when a Sears ad printed the wrong phone number for Santa in the Gazette. Under the orders of Director of Operations, Colonel Harry Shoup, radar dishes were turned north, toward Santa, and soldiers were instructed to report Santa’s position to any child who called.

The commander on duty that day had staff provide callers with updates on Santa’s location and the tradition evolved into the NORAD Santa-tracking website.

So you better watch out, you better not cry because Santa Claus is coming to a radar near you.

Here’s this year’s version of the Santa Tracker – a work of art to be sure.

Norad’s Stacey Knott, who has worked with the Norad Santa Tracker for the past three years has said, “We get a lot of calls from Europe, Australia and New Zealand”.

NORAD Tracks Santa, but only Santa knows his route, which means we cannot predict where and when he will arrive at your house.

NORAD has opened up its phone lines for its annual Santa Tracker ever since.

Wikimedia CommonsMembers of the American Air Force track Santa in 2008. And on Christmas Eve, they won’t miss a minute of Santa’s journey as you visit relatives.

“We’re so happy to be a team member and this is our fourth season as the Noerr Corporation, based in Arvada, Colorado”, said Michael Campbell, Vice President of Corporate Marketing and Partnerships at Noerr Corporations.