Can’t change post’s status to Published!

I had one entry in a new blog, dated 2008.12.20. I changed it to today’s date and few minutes into the future. Status changed to Scheduled. Once the time passed, I hoped to see it appear online, but it did not. I opened post and it’s status is still “Scheduled”. When I click on the Edit link, there are only three (3) options – Scheduled, Pending Review, Draft. Where’s “Published”?! I can’t change status!

If I click on quick edit linkm there is Published also, but when I change and press “Update Post” button, it’s again the same “Scheduled”. What’s wrong?

WP 2.8 English.