diff --git a/wp-includes/general-template.php b/wp-includes/general-template.php
index 9d22905b8c..6ec16b72b0 100644
--- a/wp-includes/general-template.php
+++ b/wp-includes/general-template.php
@@ -1898,7 +1898,7 @@ function the_date_xml() {
 function the_date( $d = '', $before = '', $after = '', $echo = true ) {
 	global $currentday, $previousday;
 
-	if ( $currentday != $previousday ) {
+	if ( is_new_day() ) {
 		$the_date = $before . get_the_date( $d ) . $after;
 		$previousday = $currentday;
 
diff --git a/wp-includes/version.php b/wp-includes/version.php
index c532c2f807..d78634d777 100644
--- a/wp-includes/version.php
+++ b/wp-includes/version.php
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
  *
  * @global string $wp_version
  */
-$wp_version = '4.4-alpha-34473';
+$wp_version = '4.4-alpha-34474';
 
 /**
  * Holds the WordPress DB revision, increments when changes are made to the WordPress DB schema.