Vermont has become the latest state to replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples' Day.

The state's Republican governor, Phil Scott, signed off on a bill that removes Columbus Day from Vermont’s list of state holidays, replacing it with Indigenous Peoples' Day, The Associated Press reports.

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The new holiday aims to recognize the historic and cultural significance of indigenous people in Vermont.

Under the measure signed by Scott on Friday, Vermont will officially recognize Indigenous Peoples' Day on the second Monday in October, which still remains reserved nationwide for recognition of Columbus Day.

Scott said last month that he would likely sign the bill after it sailed through the state's legislature.

"I see no reason that I would not sign it, but we're reviewing the bill as we speak,” Scott said at the time.

"I know it's controversial from many standpoints, from many people, but you know, it's just a day, and we'll get through it," he said of the measure. "And we've been treating it as something different over the last couple of years through resolutions. Without any technical difficulties within the bill, I'll probably sign it."

With the governor’s signature, Vermont joins Hawaii, New Mexico, Maine and a number of other states that have chosen to ditch Columbus Day in favor of holidays honoring indigenous people.