It's official: Alexander Hamilton is staying on the $10 bill, and Andrew Jackson will be removed from the front of the $20 bill to be replaced by former slave-turned-abolitionist Harriet Tubman. Tubman was the winner of the unofficial "Women on 20s" vote in May 2015.
According to Politico, Jackson will probably be on the back of the bill.
Lew is expected to roll out a set of changes that also include putting leaders of the women’s suffrage movement on the back of the $10 bill, and incorporating civil rights era leaders and other important moments in American history into the $5 bill.
Also, Jackson isn’t getting completely booted off the $20 bill. He’s likely to remain on the back.
Lew's reversal comes after he announced last summer that he was considering replacing Hamilton on the $10 bill with a woman. The plan drew swift rebukes from fans of Hamilton, who helped create the Treasury Department and the modern American financial system. Critics immediately suggested Lew take Jackson off the $20 bill given the former president's role in moving Native Americans off their land.
The formal announcement will occur later on Wednesday afternoon.
Reaction to Tubman on the bill has largely been positive:
Harriet Tubman was the most badass of badasses
— Mara Wilson (@MaraWritesStuff) April 20, 2016
When the government finally does something good and puts Harriet Tubman on the $20 Bill. pic.twitter.com/usjCQTp9X0
— The Refined Ruffian (@CulturedRuffian) April 20, 2016
Harriet Tubman deserves a spot. Just think it was ludicrous how they dealt with removing Jackson. https://t.co/ZDhMXNJiE7
— Benji Backer (@BenjiBacker) April 20, 2016
I love that Harriet Tubman, who risked her life more than ten times to free slaves, will replace a slaveholder on the $20. Very cool.
— Emily Zanotti (@emzanotti) April 20, 2016
I applaud @USTreasury’s decision to put Harriet Tubman on the $20 bill. She was a true American hero and fighter for freedom.
— Joaquin Castro (@JoaquinCastrotx) April 20, 2016
The formal announcement will be coming later Wednesday afternoon.
