Tracking Santa: NORAD and Flightradar24 guide his journey
Santa Claus has embarked on his annual journey with gifts. His route can be followed on Flightradar24, a popular flight tracking website.
Santa Claus has set off on his yearly mission to deliver presents to children worldwide. His route can be tracked on the Flightradar24 website.
The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) is tracking Santa Claus's sleigh journey for the 69th time. This tradition began in 1955 when Colonel Harry Shoup received a call from a child who wanted to speak to Santa. Despite his surprise, Shoup decided to play Santa.
The tradition of tracking Santa's route
Before Christmas Eve in 1955, the AP agency reported, "Santa Claus Friday was assured safe passage into the United States by the Continental Air Defense Command." The agency's reporter added that the American military would protect Santa’s sleigh from possible attacks by "those who do not believe in Christmas," a nod to the Soviet Union.
This marked the beginning of NORAD's tradition of "tracking" Santa's route.
On December 24th, NORAD announces the sleigh's takeoff from the North Pole every year. Santa's current location can be checked on the NORAD Tracks Santa website every 15 minutes.
The operation involves 1,250 volunteers who answer phone calls from children worldwide. Last year, 15 million people from 200 countries visited the site.
