The North American Aerospace Defense Command (or NORAD) was founded on May 12, 1958. It is a joint venture between Canada and the United States. It’s primary mandate is the defense of these two countries by way of air sovereignty and aerospace warning. Cheyenne Mountain – located in Colorado Springs, Colorado is home to NORAD. The design of this facility is most notably unique in that it is housed 2,000 feet into the Cheyenne Mountain. Apart from the defense of Canada and the United States, NORAD also is responsible for tracking one of the most protected national treasures – Santa Clause.
For over 50 years NORAD has been tracking Santa’s Christmas Eve flight. The tradition began in 1955 when Sears misprinted Santa’s phone number in one of its’ advertisements. The phone number was not to Santa but to the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD); which is the predecessor to NORAD. So children were calling and in the spirit of Christmas, CONAD gave the children updates as to where Santa was.
Decades later the tradition continues. NORAD volunteers to personally respond to Christmas Eve phone calls (877-446-6723) and emails (noradtrackssanta@gmail.com). Today, we can also track Santa’s whereabouts from the NORAD Tracks Santa web site. You can also follow NORAD on Twitter and Facebook to get updates on where Santa’s whereabouts. So go ahead and track Santa – enjoy the experience with your family and I wish you Merry Christmas.
