diff --git a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/course_module.py b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/course_module.py
index 884dc40df2..c7dc77d5ac 100644
--- a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/course_module.py
+++ b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/course_module.py
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ class CourseDescriptor(SequenceDescriptor):
     
     def has_started(self):
         return time.gmtime() > self.start
-    
+
     @classmethod
     def id_to_location(cls, course_id):
         org, course, name = course_id.split('/')
@@ -39,6 +39,10 @@ class CourseDescriptor(SequenceDescriptor):
     def id(self):
         return "/".join([self.location.org, self.location.course, self.location.name])
 
+    @property
+    def start_date_text(self):
+        return time.strftime("%m/%d/%y", self.start)
+
     @property
     def title(self):
         return self.metadata['display_name']
diff --git a/lms/templates/portal/course_about.html b/lms/templates/portal/course_about.html
index 112333694f..30980c41ed 100644
--- a/lms/templates/portal/course_about.html
+++ b/lms/templates/portal/course_about.html
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@
         </header>
 
         <ol class="important-dates">
-          <li><div class="icon start-icon"></div><p>Classes Start</p><span class="start-date">7/12/12</span></li>
+          <li><div class="icon start-icon"></div><p>Classes Start</p><span class="start-date">${course.start_date_text}</span></li>
           ##<li><div class="icon final-icon"></div><p>Final Exam</p><span class="final-date">12/09/12</span></li>
           ##<li><div class="icon length-icon"></div><p>Course Length</p><span class="course-length">15 weeks</span></li>
           <li><div class="icon number-icon"></div><p>Course Number</p><span class="course-number">${course.number}</span></li>