NORAD's Santa tracker was Cold War morale boost. Now it attracts millions of kids

This image provided by NORAD shows NORAD's Santa Tracker, Dec. 24, 2024. Volunteers answer phone calls from around the world, Dec. 24, 2024, at the NORAD Tracks Santa center at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Volunteers answer phone calls from around the world, Dec. 24, 2024, at the NORAD Tracks Santa center at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colodo. Air Force Col. Amy Glisson and other volunteers answer phone calls from around the world, Dec. 24, 2024, at the NORAD Tracks Santa center at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

The Christmas tradition has become nearly global in scope: Children from around the world track Santa Claus as he sweeps across the earth, delivering presents and defying time.