Fear not good boys and girls, because the government shutdown is having no effect on the North American Aerospace Defense Command’s annual mission to track the yuletide journey of Santa Claus around the world.
NORAD has tracked Jolly Old Saint Nicholas’ Christmas Eve adventure since 1955 with satellites, radar, jet fighters and “special Santa cameras.”
NORAD is tracking #Santa as he delivers presents worldwide. Follow #Santa at https://t.co/SgFzAHp7gm @NoradSanta #HappyHolidays https://t.co/PkIVFUFhRg
— U.S. Northern Command (@USNorthernCmd) December 24, 2018
According to NORAD’s Secret Santa Files:
“The tradition began in 1955 after a Colorado Springs-based Sears Roebuck & Co. advertisement misprinted the telephone number for children to call Santa. Instead of reaching Santa, the phone number put kids through to the CONAD Commander-in-Chief’s operations ‘hotline.’ The Director of Operations at the time, Colonel Harry Shoup, had his staff check the 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.”
In the event of a government shutdown, NORAD will continue with its 63-year tradition of NORAD Tracks Santa on Dec. 24. Military personnel who conduct NORAD Tracks Santa are supported by approximately 1,500 volunteers who make the program possible each and every year. pic.twitter.com/fY0oyjrdDc
— U.S. Northern Command (@USNorthernCmd) December 21, 2018
