Every Christmas Eve, a beloved tradition unfolds across the United States, Canada, and beyond as families eagerly track Santa Claus on his festive journey delivering gifts to children worldwide. The anticipatory hustle encourages parents to usher their little ones off to bed to ensure Santa’s timely arrival.
NORAD, or North American Aerospace Defense Command, has taken on the delightful responsibility of tracking Santa’s travels since 1955. Using a combination of radar, satellites, and aircraft from both the U.S. and Canada, families can follow Santa and his trusty eight reindeer (or nine, if you include Rudolph) from the North Pole via a desktop computer, smartphone app, or even by calling 877-HI-NORAD.
Adding to this inclusive holiday experience, Interpreters Unlimited Inc. provides the service in multiple languages, enabling families who don’t speak English to enjoy the North Pole adventure. Shamus Sayed, vice president of Interpreters Unlimited, emphasized the importance of inclusion, stating, “When the kids see where Santa is, they can see it in their language. Inclusion and visibility are so important.”
The heartwarming tradition began with a simple mistake in 1955 when a child mistakenly contacted the Continental Air Defense Command instead of a department store Santa due to a misdialed number. Colonel Harry Shoup, the commander at the time, decided quickly to assign someone to respond to children’s calls, leading to the annual Santa tracking tradition that prevails today.
Each year, millions of children from over 200 countries and territories join the Santa tracking experience. A dedicated corps of volunteers answers over 130,000 calls through the NORAD hotline, while families can also engage with Santa’s journey on platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.
The work of Interpreters Unlimited is provided at no cost to NORAD, ensuring that different cultures and languages are represented in the holiday spirit. Sayed noted, “There are 101 reasons kids want to see a Santa who represents them and their culture and language. This is a feel-good thing.”
He described the experience of seeing Santa as one that brings joy and excitement, creating a cherished moment for both children and parents during the holidays. The volunteers feel rewarded as well, with many returning year after year to share in the joy of Santa tracking.
Sayed encourages families to immerse themselves in this experience: “Go visit the site. Enjoy it, whether you’re adults or kids. Everyone should partake in this opportunity to smile.”
This year’s Santa tracking promises to bring joy and connection to families around the globe, reminding us of the magic of the holidays and the universal spirit of giving and togetherness that transcends language and culture.
In summary, the NORAD Santa tracking tradition not only spreads Christmas cheer but also fosters inclusion and connection, bringing people together in a fun and joyous way.