mysql> create table foo1(d date);
Query OK, 0 rows affected (0.05 sec)

mysql> insert into foo1 values('1969-10-04');
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.08 sec)

mysql> insert into foo1 values('1979-10-04');
Query OK, 1 row affected (0.00 sec)

mysql> select * from foo1;
+------------+
| d          |
+------------+
| 1969-10-04 | 
| 1979-10-04 | 
+------------+
2 rows in set (0.04 sec)

mysql> select * from foo1 where d < '1977-01-01';
+------------+
| d          |
+------------+
| 1969-10-04 | 
+------------+
1 row in set (0.03 sec)

mysql> select * from foo1 where d > '1977-01-01';
+------------+
| d          |
+------------+
| 1979-10-04 | 
+------------+
1 row in set (0.01 sec)