The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) tracks Santa’s flight on Christmas Eve. For 50 years, NORAD and their predecessor, Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD), have been tracking the jolly old fellow as he makes his rounds.

The tradition began in 1955 after a Colorado Springs-based Sears Roebuck & Co. advertisement for children to call Santa misprinted the telephone number. Instead of reaching Santa, the phone number put kids through to CONAD and Colonel Harry Shoup. Col. Shoup had his staff radar for indications of Santa making his way south from the North Pole. Children who called were given updates on his location, and a tradition was born.

Millions of people who want to know Santa’s whereabouts now visit the NORAD website: www.noradsanta.org