The U.S. military's tradition of tracking Santa Claus began with a misprint in a Colorado newspaper in 1955 and a call to Col. Harry Shoup's secret hotline. Shoup, commander of the Continental Air Defense Command (now NORAD), played along with the child caller, and a tradition was born.
It all started in 1955 with a misprint in a Colorado newspaper and a call to Col. Harry Shoup's secret military hotline. Shoup played along with the tiny voice who called, and a tradition was born.Terri Van Keuren , Rick Shoup and Pamela Farrell, children of Col. Harry Shoup, commander of the Continental Air Defense Command, visited StoryCorps in Castle Rock, Colo., to talk about how their dad helped to create the U.S. military's Santa Tracker .
"This was the '50s, this was the Cold War, and he would have been the first one to know if there was an attack on the United States," Rick says. His children remember Shoup as straight-laced and disciplined, and he was annoyed and upset by the call and thought it was a joke — but then, Terri says, the little voice started crying.
NORAD SANTA TRACKER MILITARY TRADITION COLD WAR
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
LIVE NORAD Santa Tracker | When will Santa be in Dallas?Santa has begun his trip around the world to deliver presents. Watch his progress across the globe live!
Read more »
Track Santa's Journey This Christmas Eve with NORAD and GoogleFollow Santa Claus's magical journey around the world this Christmas Eve with the help of NORAD and Google's Santa trackers. Learn about the history of NORAD tracking Santa and how you can participate in the fun.
Read more »
NORAD to Track Santa's Journey for 69th YearThe North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) is gearing up to track Santa Claus's global journey on Christmas Eve, continuing a tradition that began by accident in 1955.
Read more »
NORAD Prepares to Track Santa's Journey for 69th YearThe North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) is gearing up for its annual Christmas Eve tradition of tracking Santa Claus and his reindeer around the world.
Read more »
NORAD is Ready to Track Santa Claus Again This ChristmasThe North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) will be tracking Santa Claus's journey around the world on Christmas Eve, marking the 69th year of this festive tradition.
Read more »
NORAD Continues to Track Santa's Miracle FlightNORAD's Tracks Santa app and website provide interactive tracking of Santa's journey on Christmas Eve.
Read more »