Currency plays a big part in the world today. Paper money has been around since the 1690’s, but the $20 bill has only been around since 1914. Although, over the past eight years there has been some mention about redesigning the $20 bill. In 2019 the Donald Trump administration decided to delay putting Harriet Tubman on the $20 bill until he had officially left office. However, now the Joe Biden administration announced they have decided to resume the process since the delay, which was originally started by Barack Obama.

Tubman is a very important person to the African American community and Black history. Tubman was an African American woman who was born into slavery. In 1849 she escaped using the Underground Railroad and later made 13 missions to save enslaved people along with friends and family. Over a course of 10 years, Tubman was able to save roughly around 300 slaves and give them freedom.

Andrew Jackson was the seventh president of the United States. Jackson is the one who is currently on the $20 bill and has been since 1928. However, there seems to be a lot of controversy with Jackson who would be replaced by Tubman. Jackson grew wealthy from his own slave ownership, he owned as many as 161 slaves at the time. He was seen to treat his slaves very cruel and harsh; he also never spoke out against slavery or spoke on the cruelness of the foundation.

For years authorities and critics have wanted Jackson to be removed from the $20 bill because of his reputation and his supporting the foundation of slavery said USA today. Many people are wondering why Harriet Tubman is going on the $20 bill or how it even became an idea. Well, in 2014 Obama received a letter from a girl from Massachusetts explaining how women should appear on coins and bills. After reading the letter Obama said it was, “a pretty good idea.”

The Trump administration had said it needs until 2028 to release a brand-new $20 bill featuring Tubman, even though experts say they could do it faster. However, that time frame can change since the Biden administration is in control now. Also, redesigning a bill is a complex task that will take time and will not be a simple face swap.