diff --git a/newswire.py b/newswire.py
index 29812d72c..1c5c4a613 100644
--- a/newswire.py
+++ b/newswire.py
@@ -175,7 +175,7 @@ def parseFeedDate(pubDate: str):
 
         try:
             publishedDate = \
-                datetime.strptime(pubDate, "%a, %d %b %Y %H:%M:%S EST")
+                datetime.strptime(pubDate, dateFormat)
         except BaseException:
             print('WARN: unrecognized date format: ' +
                   pubDate + ' ' + dateFormat)
diff --git a/tests.py b/tests.py
index 41c1a0550..59c0259e2 100644
--- a/tests.py
+++ b/tests.py
@@ -86,6 +86,7 @@ from jsonldsig import jsonldVerify
 from newsdaemon import hashtagRuleTree
 from newsdaemon import hashtagRuleResolve
 from newswire import getNewswireTags
+from newswire import parseFeedDate
 
 testServerAliceRunning = False
 testServerBobRunning = False
@@ -2385,8 +2386,17 @@ def testFirstParagraphFromString():
     assert resultStr == testStr
 
 
+def testParseFeedDate():
+    print('testParseFeedDate')
+    pubDate = "2020-08-27T16:12:34+00:00"
+    publishedDate = parseFeedDate(pubDate)
+    assert publishedDate
+    print(str(publishedDate))
+
+
 def runAllTests():
     print('Running tests...')
+    testParseFeedDate()
     testFirstParagraphFromString()
     testGetNewswireTags()
     testHashtagRuleTree()