Austin will no longer officially recognize Columbus Day after Austin City Council voted Thursday to replace the holiday with Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Although Thursday’s vote will have no direct effect on the federal holiday—which celebrates Italian explorer Christopher Columbus’s arrival to the lands of the western hemisphere every second Monday of October—Austin city calendars will now read “Indigenous Peoples’ Day.” The change drew much debate amongst council members, some of who felt the holiday should simultaneously celebrate Christopher Columbus and the indigenous people of America. However, after a few amendments proposing synonymity failed, the resolution to replace the holiday passed 9-1-1, with District 8 Council Member Ellen Troxclair voting no and District 10 Council Member Alison Alter abstaining. “The resolution that is before us today is in the spirit of inclusiveness,” District 1 Council Member Ora Houston said. “In this polarized environment we live in now, there’s no way we can celebrate both.” The resolution says the city of Austin “strongly encourages” Austin public schools to include teaching of indigenous peoples’ history and business, organizations and public institutions to recognize the holiday change. District 2 Council Member Delia Garza said the council’s vote was an important step. She said if enough cities “do what we’re doing,” then the federal government may take notice. Troxclair and Alter said they were both uncomfortable with the termination of Columbus Day. Troxclair said she heard pushback from the Italian-American community and the Knights of Columbus organization. Indigenous Peoples' Day is Monday, Oct. 9.