Letters from an American December 23, 2025
10 snips
Dec 24, 2025 Explore the whimsical origins of NORAD's Santa-tracking tradition stemming from a 1955 hotline blunder. Delve into Colonel Harry Schaup’s clever PR strategy highlighting Cold War defense issues. Discover how tracking Santa showcased NORAD's purpose in its early days and the heartwarming story of 1960 when Canadian jets escorted Santa’s sleigh during an emergency. Reflect on the incredible teamwork between the U.S. and Canada as volunteers field over 100,000 calls each Christmas Eve, turning military operations into a magical experience for children.
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How A Misdial Started A Tradition
- A child's misdialed call in 1955 led Colonel Harry Shaup to answer instead of Santa and sparked a publicity idea.
- CONAD used the Santa story to draw attention to Cold War air defenses and publicize its mission.
Santa As A Public Relations Tool
- NORAD used the Santa narrative to illustrate its real mission of tracking objects from the North Pole over the Arctic.
- The Santa tracking helped normalize and explain complex defense systems to the public during the Cold War.
1960 Rescue On Hudson Bay
- In 1960 NORAD reported Santa made an emergency landing on Hudson Bay and Canadian jets escorted him after they bandaged a reindeer's injured foot.
- Fighter jets have since intercepted the sleigh to salute Santa and ensure his safe passage.