NORAD’s Santa Tracker, the beloved decades-old tradition of virtually following Santa Claus as he delivers gifts to children around the world, returns Christmas Eve for its 69th year.

NORAD began to track Santa Claus in 1955, following an accidental phone call made to the agency by a young boy interested in in speaking with Kris Kringle.

NORAD's Santa tracker is a Christmas tradition that's become nearly global in scope.

As it does every year, NORAD, the North American Aerospace Command, tracked Santa on his trip around the world on Christmas Eve so children and families could see where he was.

Each year, at least 100,000 kids call into the North American Aerospace Defense Command to inquire about Santa’s location. Millions more follow online in nine languages, from English to Japanese.

The Santa tracker site receives millions of visitors from around the world each year, according to NORAD, and volunteers typically answer more than 130,000 calls.

Each year, at least 100,000 kids call the North American Aerospace Defense Command to inquire about Santa’s location. Millions more follow online in nine languages.

NORAD will once again be tracking Santa this Christmas Eve, but how did the beloved tradition start? Relive the tale through our history podcast.

NORAD's Santa tracker was a Cold War morale boost. Now it attracts millions of kids Each year, at least 100,000 kids worldwide call the North American Aerospace Defense Command to inquire about ...

As it does every year, NORAD, the North American Aerospace Command, tracked Santa on his trip around the world on Christmas Eve so children and families could see where he was.