Oracle DateTime in Where Clause?

I have sql something like this:

SELECT EMP_NAME, DEPT
FROM EMPLOYEE
WHERE TIME_CREATED >= TO_DATE('26/JAN/2011','dd/mon/yyyy')

-> This returns 10 rows and TIME_CREATED = '26-JAN-2011'

Now when i do this i don't get any rows back,

SELECT EMP_NAME, DEPT
    FROM EMPLOYEE
    WHERE TIME_CREATED = TO_DATE('26/JAN/2011','dd/mon/yyyy')

-> Took the greater than out

Any reason why?