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It’s that time of year! Children everywhere are excited about Santa Claus’s yearly trip around the world to deliver toys and gifts to those appearing on the ‘nice’ list. Many people look out the windows and into the skies to sight Santa and his reindeer. With the click of a mouse, you can track Santa with the help of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD).
On December 24, 1955, a call was made to the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD) Operations Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado. This particular call was from a girl in Colorado Springs who was following the directions in an advertisement in the local paper. She wanted to know the whereabouts of Santa Claus. The advertisement had directed kids to call Santa direct and be sure and dial the correct number. However, the number was printed incorrectly in the ad and rang into the CONAD operations center. Colonel Harry Shoup was on duty that night and he became known as the ‘Santa Colonel.’ Colonel Shoup received numerous calls that night and instead of hanging up, he had his operators find the location of Santa Claus and reported it to every child who called that night.
This started a tradition carried on by NORAD when it was formed in 1958. Today, through satellite systems, high-powered radar, and jet fighters, NORAD tracks Santa as he makes his yuletide journey around the world.
Every Christmas Eve, thousands of volunteers staff telephones and computers to answer calls and emails from children and adults from around the world. Live updates are provided through NORAD Tracks Santa (in seven languages), via telephone, and by email to keep curious children and their families informed about Santa’s whereabouts and if it’s time to go to bed.
This year, children and the young-at-heart are able to track Santa through Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and other social media sites. To follow on any of these sites, type in @noradsanta into the search engine and start tracking. Happy holidays!
We all know the stress of preparation that the holidays can bring - finding that perfect tree, decorating, planning parties, buying gifts, etc. Imagine having to do all that for millions of people! The White House Photo Gallery shows us how the First Families celebrate the holiday. The photo archives include President and Mrs. Obama, President and Mrs. Reagan, President George H.W. Bush and Mrs. Bush, President and Mrs. Roosevelt, and many others. These photos give us a glimpse of how the first families decorated the White House. Let it help inspire your own decorating ideas or get you in the spirit of the holiday. Enjoy!
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Food, Fun, Family, Friends, Parties, Shopping… All of this can make for a busy, hectic holiday season. In the midst of all the activity, don’t forget to take care of yourself. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) would like to remind everyone to stay healthy with The 12 Ways to Health Holiday Song. This festive song is to be sung to the tune of The Twelve Days of Christmas and has helpful reminders such as washing hands, managing stress, not drinking & driving, and getting exams & screenings, among others.
Click here to listen! Remember to stay safe and healthy during the holiday season.
Turkey Run Inn photo courtesy of Indiana DNR/Outdoor Indiana magazine.
Are you looking for a fun way to escape the hustle and bustle of the holidays? Check out these upcoming programs at Indiana’s numerous state parks and natural wonders. Book a winter getaway at an Indiana state park inn. The Special events listings include the Abe Martin Lodge, Canyon Inn, Clifty Inn, Potawatomi Inn, Spring Mill Inn, Turkey Run Inn, and The Fort Golf Resort & Conference Center. Unwind by observing the changing seasons during the Christmas Eve stroll at the Indiana Dunes State Park, December 24 at 10 a.m. (CST). For more information, view the press release.
Birdwatchers are encouraged to meet up for a winter bird hike with the Indiana Audubon Society at Mounds State Park on Sunday, December 28, 9-11 a.m. (EST). Ring in the New Year by getting outside for some fresh air, beautiful views, and exercise at the 2015 First Day Hikes. Thirty-two state properties will participate in this celebration of the New Year on January 1, 2015. View additional events here.
On Dec. 4, the lighting of the National Christmas Tree took place on the Ellipse near the White House. The ceremony included famous singers, performers, and of course, President Obama and his family.
This year, young girls from across the county (+300,000) wrote the code and programed how the lights on the tree will twinkle as part of Google’s “Made with Code” program. The different colors and patterns of the lights are a result of the efforts of these young girls and their computer skills. The program was put in place to encourage young women to be interested in computer science.
Some of the young coders were selected to come to the ceremony and see their efforts in person. If you’d like to see the ceremony, you can watch a portion of it here.
This information is brought to you as a courtesy of the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) via the USA.gov blog.
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