How do you turn the Date into 3 different variables

[DJ XtAzY]

So basically I'm doing a whole makeover for the CMS. Now the part I don't really know how to do is customizing the date. I have this area where I want to show the month and the date at a different location with different style for those two.

For example, if an article is created on 12/1/2009 (dec, 1), how do I assign the month, date, and year to 3 different variables? I want to customize these variables and put them wherever I want.

Unless theres an easier way, can anyone tutor me how to do this? Thanks!