WordPress Entry Date Template Function

template-tags.php

<?php
if ( ! function_exists( 'theme_slug_entry_date' ) ) :
	/**
	* Displays the post date
	*/
	function theme_slug_entry_date() {

		$time_string = '<time class="entry-date published updated" datetime="%1$s">%2$s</time>';

		if ( get_the_time( 'U' ) !== get_the_modified_time( 'U' ) ) {
			$time_string = '<time class="entry-date published" datetime="%1$s">%2$s</time><time class="updated" datetime="%3$s">%4$s</time>';
		}

		$time_string = sprintf( $time_string,
			esc_attr( get_the_date( 'c' ) ),
			esc_html( get_the_date() ),
			esc_attr( get_the_modified_date( 'c' ) ),
			esc_html( get_the_modified_date() )
		);

		$posted_on = sprintf(
			esc_html_x( 'Posted on %s', 'post date', 'theme-slug' ),
			'<a href="' . esc_url( get_permalink() ) . '" rel="bookmark">' . $time_string . '</a>'
		);

		return '<span class="meta-date">' . $posted_on . '</span>';
	}
endif;