Every year, as Christmas draws near, there's a special excitement in the air. This excitement comes alive on Christmas Eve, thanks to the NORAD Santa Tracker. For 68 years now, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) has taken on a unique mission: tracking Santa Claus as he travels all over the world delivering gifts.

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The beginning of the NORAD Santa Tracker happened by accident in 1955. A department store advertisement printed the wrong phone number for children to call Santa. Instead, the calls went to the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD) Operations Center.

LOOK: NORAD TO TRACK SANTA FOR ITS 68TH YEAR

NORAD Tracks Santa 2018
NORAD Tracks Santa
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Colonel Harry Shoup was the man on duty. He decided to play along and assured the child who called that he was indeed Santa Claus. This one spontaneous act led to a tradition that NORAD continues even to this day.

On Christmas Eve, NORAD uses its state-of-the-art technologies to track Santa's progress across the globe. This is thanks to the volunteers who answer thousands of phone calls and emails from kiddos eager to know Santa's location. The NORAD Tracks Santa program has turned into one of the Department of Defense's largest community outreach initiatives.

Photo: NORAD Tracks Santa
Photo: NORAD Tracks Santa
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The official website, noradsanta.org, attracts millions of visitors from all over the world. In addition to the website, people can follow Santa through various social media platforms and mobile apps. This tradition, born from a simple mistake, has become a beloved part of Christmas for both children and adults.

So if you're curious about where to find Santa on Christmas Eve, just visit the NORAD Santa Tracker. With NORAD's volunteers and technology, you can join in with millions of others and follow Santa's journey worldwide.

Inside Santa's Million Dollar North Pole Home

The North Pole's most sought-after listing, and the only North Pole listing on Zillow, has hit the market just in time for Christmas. This charming log cabin-style dwelling takes cozy to a whole other whimsical level. Described in the listing as a "one-of-a-kind dwelling" that offers a glimpse into the enchanting life of Santa and Mrs. Claus, the compound sits on 25 enchanting acres. The main house is 2086 square feet, has 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, and oozes comfy coziness. Built back in 1822, the classic Old World style has had some updates and renovations with all the modern touches and it can all be yours for $1,177,870. Keep in mind, you must love toy making!

Gallery Credit: Zillow

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