diff --git a/changes/src/main/org/apache/maven/changes/ReleaseVersion.java b/changes/src/main/org/apache/maven/changes/ReleaseVersion.java
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..4db955ae
--- /dev/null
+++ b/changes/src/main/org/apache/maven/changes/ReleaseVersion.java
@@ -0,0 +1,132 @@
+package org.apache.maven.changes;
+
+/* ====================================================================
+ * The Apache Software License, Version 1.1
+ *
+ * Copyright (c) 2001 The Apache Software Foundation.  All rights
+ * reserved.
+ *
+ * Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without
+ * modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions
+ * are met:
+ *
+ * 1. Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright
+ *    notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
+ *
+ * 2. Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright
+ *    notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in
+ *    the documentation and/or other materials provided with the
+ *    distribution.
+ *
+ * 3. The end-user documentation included with the redistribution,
+ *    if any, must include the following acknowledgment:
+ *       "This product includes software developed by the
+ *        Apache Software Foundation (http://www.apache.org/)."
+ *    Alternately, this acknowledgment may appear in the software itself,
+ *    if and wherever such third-party acknowledgments normally appear.
+ *
+ * 4. The names "Apache" and "Apache Software Foundation" and
+ *    "Apache Maven" must not be used to endorse or promote products
+ *    derived from this software without prior written permission. For
+ *    written permission, please contact apache@apache.org.
+ *
+ * 5. Products derived from this software may not be called "Apache",
+ *    "Apache Maven", nor may "Apache" appear in their name, without
+ *    prior written permission of the Apache Software Foundation.
+ *
+ * THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED ``AS IS'' AND ANY EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED
+ * WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES
+ * OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE
+ * DISCLAIMED.  IN NO EVENT SHALL THE APACHE SOFTWARE FOUNDATION OR
+ * ITS CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL,
+ * SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT
+ * LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF
+ * USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND
+ * ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY,
+ * OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT
+ * OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF
+ * SUCH DAMAGE.
+ * ====================================================================
+ *
+ * This software consists of voluntary contributions made by many
+ * individuals on behalf of the Apache Software Foundation.  For more
+ * information on the Apache Software Foundation, please see
+ * <http://www.apache.org/>.
+ *
+ * ====================================================================
+ */
+
+import java.io.*;
+import java.text.*;
+import java.util.*;
+
+import org.apache.commons.io.FileUtils;
+import org.dom4j.*;
+import org.dom4j.io.*;
+
+/**
+ * @author <a href="mailto:brett@apache.org">Brett Porter</a>
+ *
+ * @version $Id: ReleaseVersion.java,v 1.1 2004/02/25 22:33:58 brett Exp $
+ */
+public class ReleaseVersion
+{
+    public static final void releaseVersion( File changesFile, String currentVersion, String version )
+        throws DocumentException, FileNotFoundException, UnsupportedEncodingException, IOException
+    {
+        DateFormat dateFormat = new SimpleDateFormat( "yyyy-MM-dd" );
+        releaseVersion( changesFile, currentVersion, version, dateFormat.format( new Date() ) );
+    }
+
+    public static final void releaseVersion( File changesFile, String currentVersion, String version, String date )
+        throws DocumentException, FileNotFoundException, UnsupportedEncodingException, IOException
+    {
+        SAXReader r = new SAXReader();
+        
+        Document doc = r.read( changesFile );
+        
+        Element root = doc.getRootElement();
+        
+        Element releases = root.element( "body" );
+        
+        for ( Iterator i = releases.elementIterator( "release" ); i.hasNext(); )
+        {
+            Element e = (Element) i.next();
+            
+            Attribute v = e.attribute( "version" );
+            
+            if ( v != null )
+            {
+                String text = v.getText();
+                if ( text.equals( currentVersion ) || text.equals( version ) )
+                {
+                    v.setText( version );
+
+                    Attribute d = e.attribute( "date" );
+                    if ( d == null )
+                    {
+                        e.addAttribute( "date", date );
+                    }
+                    else
+                    {
+                        d.setText( date );
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+        }
+        
+        // Backup the original first.
+        FileUtils.copyFile( changesFile, new File( changesFile + ".backup" ) );
+
+        OutputStream os = new FileOutputStream( changesFile );
+
+        OutputFormat format = new OutputFormat();
+        format.setIndentSize( 2 );
+        format.setNewlines( true );
+        format.setTrimText( true );
+
+        XMLWriter writer = new XMLWriter( format );
+        writer.setOutputStream( os );
+        writer.write( doc );
+    }   
+}