jQuery-UI datepicker default date

I have a problem with the jQuery-UI datepicker, I have searched and searched but I didn't find the answer. I have the following code:

<script type="text/javascript">
$(function() {               
    $("#birthdate" ).datepicker({
        changeMonth: true,
        changeYear: true,
        yearRange: '1920:2010',
        dateFormat : 'dd-mm-yy',
        defaultDate: '01-01-1985'
    });
});
</script>

I want that when the user click in the #birthdate input that the current date selected to be 01-01-1985, now it's setting the current date.

Try passing in a Date object instead. I can't see why it doesn't work in the format you have entered:

<script type="text/javascript">
$(function() {               
    $("#birthdate" ).datepicker({
        changeMonth: true,
        changeYear: true,
        yearRange: '1920:2010',
        dateFormat : 'dd-mm-yy',
        defaultDate: new Date(1985, 00, 01)
    });
});
</script>

http://api.jqueryui.com/datepicker/#option-defaultDate

Specify either an actual date via a Date object or as a string in the current dateFormat, or a number of days from today (e.g. +7) or a string of values and periods ('y' for years, 'm' for months, 'w' for weeks, 'd' for days, e.g. '+1m +7d'), or null for today.

You can try with the code that is below.

It will make the default date become the date you are looking for.

$('#birthdate').datepicker("setDate", new Date(1985,01,01) );

Seeing that:

Set the date to highlight on first opening if the field is blank. Specify either an actual date via a Date object or as a string in the current dateFormat, or a number of days from today (e.g. +7) or a string of values and periods ('y' for years, 'm' for months, 'w' for weeks, 'd' for days, e.g. '+1m +7d'), or null for today.

If the current dateFormat is not recognized, you can still use the Date object using new Date(year, month, day)

In your example, this should work (I didn't test it) :

<script type="text/javascript">
$(function() {               
    $("#birthdate" ).datepicker({
        changeMonth: true,
        changeYear: true,
        yearRange: '1920:2010',
        dateFormat : 'dd-mm-yy',
        defaultDate: new Date(1985,01,01)
    });
});
</script>