Beginning this year, Howard County will no longer celebrate Columbus Day. The county is joining a growing list of communities replacing Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples’ Day. “We’re pleased to take another step to rectify and recognize the impact of Native Americans and Indigenous people whose land we occupy today,” County Executive Calvin Ball said in a news release.

“Celebrating Indigenous People’s Day does not absolve us from our history, but we hope that it sets a tone and opens up discussions on the importance of restorative practices throughout our government and our community.” Columbus Day, a federal holiday, is celebrated on the second Monday of October to mark Christopher Columbus’ arrival in North America.