how can I show the node create date I have used the format_date() in my template files to try and output the date created.

I followed this tutorial http://webwash.net/tutorials/handling-date-and-time-drupal-7

I created a date format 'd, j M y' and date type 'article' and called it through the code:

&lt;?php print format_date($node-&gt;changed, 'article') ?&gt; 


however the date that it shows is the date it was updated not the date it was created.

How do I show the creation date of the node ?
There is a property on the node object called "created". This is what you are after and can be used in the exact same way you have used "changed".

&lt;?php print format_date($node-&gt;created, 'article'); ?&gt;