NORAD Tracks Santa Claus! [Video]

Santa Claus is getting ready for his annual Christmas Eve jaunt across the globe, bringing toys to all the good girls and boys.

The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) is again helping make certain the trip is safe for the jolly old elf. NORAD is the U.S. and Canadian military combining forces to assist Santa Claus, and is tracking Santa Claus on his Christmas Eve journey across the globe.The tradition started accidentally in 1955, when a media advertisement directed children to call Santa directly only to publish an incorrect telephone number. Instead of reaching Santa, the phone rang through to the crew commander on duty at the Continental Air Defense Command Operations Center in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Since 1958, the tradition has been carried on by NORAD and the U.S. Northern Command Center, which is based at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado outside Denver.

There are assorted ways to interact with the NORAD Santa Tracker, with the website having gone live Dec. 1. Starting at 2 a.m. EST Dec. 24, it tracks Santa through Bing maps and Cesium technology in 2D and 3D. Besides interactive games, activities, videos and music, the site is available in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese and Chinese.

Other NORAD Santa Tracker interactions include:

• App: The free NORAD Tracks Santa app is available through Microsoft Windows, Apple iTunes and Google Android stores online.
• Social media: Tracking opportunities are offered through Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Google+ and Flickr.
• Telephone: Call (877) 446-6723 to inquire as to Santa's whereabouts; the offering starts at 6 a.m. EST Dec. 24.
• Email: Send for Santa's whereabouts via an offering starting at 6 a.m. EST Dec. 24 by emailing noradtrackssanta@outlook.com.

If you have children or enjoy the spirit of St. Nick, share the progress of Santa Claus and embrace geography simultaneously. And, honestly, see how Christmas is celebrated all over the world.

Check out Santa Claus' test flight before Christmas Eve below.