The magic of Christmas is alive as Santa Claus sets off from the North Pole, bringing joy and gifts to children worldwide.
This annual journey is steeped in tradition, symbolizing the wonder of the season. For decades, technology has added to the fun, allowing families to follow Santa’s sleigh in real time.
But few know the surprising backstory of how the U.S. military became part of this festive tracking effort.
Had a Safe Journey
NORAD reported Santa’s sleigh traveling at full speed, with over 1.8 billion gifts already delivered, according to Hotnews.
The nine reindeer-powered sleigh was last seen flying over the Great Wall of China at 2:33 p.m. GMT.
Earlier, Santa made stops in New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, and China, distributing presents at a rate of 100,000 per second.
General Gregory Guillot of the U.S. Air Force shared some advice with children eager for Santa’s arrival.
"Santa won’t stop if kids are awake," he said in a playful warning. "Make sure to go to bed before 9:00 p.m. to receive your gifts."
The NORAD Santa Tracker, available online in a 3D format, has been a holiday favorite for years.
But the tradition began by accident in 1955. A misprinted phone number in a Sears ad directed children calling Santa to NORAD’s operations center.
Colonel Harry Shoup, the officer on duty, decided to embrace the Christmas spirit, fielding calls and sharing Santa updates with the help of his team.
What started as a mistake turned into a beloved custom, carried on for nearly 70 years. NORAD continues to track Santa’s route with precision, bringing smiles to families across the globe.
Addressing recent concerns about drone activity along the U.S. East Coast, General Guillot reassured everyone. "Santa’s journey is safe," he said. "We don’t anticipate any issues this year."
With NORAD keeping watch, Santa’s sleigh races toward its next destination. Children everywhere can rest easy, knowing the magic of Christmas will reach them on time.
