public void setDate(int year, int month, int day) {
        //verify the year is in bounds
        if (year < 1867 || year > Calendar.getInstance().get(Calendar.YEAR)){
            return;
        }
        
        //verify month
        if (month < 0 || month > 12) {
            return;
        }
        
        //verify day
        if (day < 0 || day > 31) {
            return;
        }
        
        //if valid paramaters, set the new date
        date = LocalDate.of(year, month, day);
    }