The U.S. Treasury Department announced on Wednesday (04/20) that Harriet Tubman, an African-American woman who ferried hundreds of slaves to freedom, will replace the slaveholding Andrew Jackson on the new $20 note. The newly popular Alexander Hamilton (who’s rap musical tribute, Hamilton, is the talk of the town) will remain on the face of the $10 bill.
The Treasury Department also promised that other women and civil rights leaders will be a part of the new currency designs. According to the New York Times, the bills are not expected to reach circulation until 2030, so don’t go changing your bill acceptors yet. The notes will be made public in 2020, in time for the centennial celebration of women’s suffrage and the 19th Amendment.
Many of these changes are made with political motive, but no matter if the ideals behind that motive are progressive, forward-thinking and in the name of equality, bill acceptors have to be updated. For more on the story, look here.
