     }
     
     /**
+        Creates a new date at the first second of the same day as the given date
+    
+        - parameter date: The date for which to calculate the beginning of the day
+    
+        - returns: The newly created date representing the first second of the day
+    */
+    static public func beginningOfDay(date:NSDate) -> NSDate {
+        return sharedInstance.beginningOfDay(date)
+    }
+    
+    /**
         Creates a new date at the first second of the same month as the given 
         date
     

    
// MARK: - Properties and Lifecycle
    
    /// The calendar to be used for date calculations
    lazy var calendar : NSCalendar = {
       return NSCalendar.autoupdatingCurrentCalendar()

    }
    
    /**
        Returns true if the given date falls within the hour of the given hour
        or false otherwise.
    
        - parameter date: The date being tested
        - parameter hour: Any date within the hour of the test range
    
        - returns: True if the given date falls within the hour or false otherwise
    */
    static public func hourContainsDate(date:NSDate, hour:NSDate) -> Bool {
        return sharedInstance.hourContainsDate(date, hour: hour)
    }
    
    /**
        Returns true if the given date falls within the day of the given day or
        false otherwise. See also NSCalendar.isDate:inSameDayAsDate method for 
        similar functionality.
