Who is Harriet Tubman?

Harriet Tubman is going to be replacing Andrew Jackson on the $20 bill — but who is she?

Today was a pretty significant day in the history of America, as we have killed two birds with one magnificent stone when it comes to breaking down barriers in this country. It might not seem like a big deal, but Harriet Tubman replacing Andrew Jackson on the $20 bill is something that has been a long time coming.

Tubman will become not only the first African-American figure to appear on American printed money but also the first woman. She also becomes the third non-president to appear on printed money, joining Alexander Hamilton and Benjamin Franklin.

With the news that Tubman is appearing on the $20 bill, those of you who fell asleep in history class might be trying to remember who she was. First of all, shame on you — history class is the best of all classes. It’s literally like watching a movie, there’s not a whole lot of complicated thought applied, you seriously just have to listen.

Tubman was one of the most important figures in American history thanks to her work with the Underground Railroad, which helped slaves in the south escape to the north to find freedom. Tubman was critically important to the Underground Railroad’s success and she is responsible for generations of Americans existing today thanks to helping their ancestors escape the terrors of the pre-Civil War south.

Beyond that, she was a spy for the Union in the Civil War. A spy — how badass is that? Andrew Jackson is one of the most overrated presidents in American history, and how we wasn’t replaced by a spy sooner than this is one of the great mysteries of the universe. Jackson was also a seething racist with hardly any redeeming qualities as a person or as a president, despite some success his administration was able to achieve during his time in the White House.

Furthermore, let’s take a moment to truly appreciate that Jackson — a slave owner — is being replaced by a former slave. Wins are hard to come by in society, but this is one of those rare occasions where the burn just feels so damn good.

Tubman is an American hero and someone who deserves to be celebrated in more ways than just the $20 bill. It’s a start though.

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