(KOH) – Every year, the North American Air Defense Command or NORAD, helps kids track Santa on his incredible trip around the world delivering presents to good little boys and girls. It all started in 1955 because of in an incorrect number in a Sears newspaper ad in Colorado Springs. The number listed was for the commander in chief’s operations hotline at the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD), NORAD’s predecessor. Air Force Col. Harry Shoup answered the phone:

But instead of the general, he heard a little girls voice ask ….

And since then NORAD has kept the spirit of Santa alive. You can track Santa at http://noradsanta.org, or you can call in with your child to 1-877-HI-NORAD (or 877-446-6723) and speak live with NORAD trackers.

Col Showp as Santa, knew how to answer the ultimate question:

Images courtesy of the U.S. Air Force