Index: date.c
===================================================================
--- date.c	(revision 295054)
+++ date.c	(working copy)
@@ -213,6 +213,7 @@
 	lt->tm_isdst = -1;		/* divine correct DST */
 
 	if (fmt != NULL) {
+		lt->tm_mday = 1;	/* avoid problematic defaults */
 		t = strptime(p, fmt, lt);
 		if (t == NULL) {
 			fprintf(stderr, "Failed conversion of ``%s''"