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NORAD’s Santa Tracker marks 70 years of a holiday tradition


 The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) is a bi-national organization shared by the United States and Canada. From its headquarters in Colorado Springs, it has been tracking Santa’s journey around the globe for nearly 70 years.

The tradition dates back to 1955, when a newspaper advertisement accidentally printed the wrong phone number for a “Call Santa” hotline. Instead of reaching the North Pole, children were connected to the operations center of the Continental Air Defense Command, NORAD’s predecessor.

Major Jennie Derenzis, a member of the Canadian Armed Forces, is the media division chief with NORAD. She says one of those calls was answered by Air Force Colonel Harry Schoup, who was the commander on duty that night.

“He was quick to realize that this mistake had been made,” she said. “And while he could not connect this youngster to Santa, he was able to say, ‘you know what, we have all that technology and capability to let you know where he is right now, you know, on his journey across the globe.’ Thus began a very magical tradition.” Read more....

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