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Harriet Tubman & the $20 Bill

Harriet Tubman & the $20 Bill

FromIncomplet Design History


Harriet Tubman & the $20 Bill

FromIncomplet Design History

ratings:
Length:
26 minutes
Released:
Oct 20, 2022
Format:
Podcast episode

Description

This episode considers the 2016 proposal to place the likeness of Harriet Tubman on the U.S. $20 bill. The first use of paper money dates back to 1000 CE and has been cited as the first instance of widespread access to printed images. Money is an invented concept, it has value because societies collectively agree that it does, but historically images, symbols, and seals have been used to help authenticate money within the culture that it serves. Images of gods, monarchs and historical figures imbue the money with the magic of the gods or the authority of the government to assert its value. The US has a long history of printed money, dating back even before gaining independence. The images that a culture uses to assert the value of the country reflects what that country values. why then does the US continue to feature former presidents, and slave owners, white men of privilege, versus women and minorities? Harriet Tubman was a true hero in this country, who worked under the auspices of the underground railroad, and not only gained her own freedom, but also helped to free over 300 enslaved persons in her lifetime. In 2016, the proposal was made to put her image on the $20 bill. Making a change to the design of the US $20 bill, replacing Andrew Jackson’s likeness with that of Harriet Tubman would not right the wrongs of the past, but it would be a step towards honoring the contributions of Black women in this country, as well as a step forward in c_orrecting the absence of positive representations._TIMELINE440 BC – The Greeks first use coin money, adopted the practice from the Lydians1000 – The first paper money was issued in China1690 – the first paper money was printed in the U.S. by the Massachusetts Bay colony, though U.S.A. is not yet a country1775 – Second Continental Congress issues paper money to help fund the American Revolution1821 – Harriet Tubman was born into slavery on a Maryland plantation1844 – Harriet Tubman’s forced marriage to John Tubman1831 – First recorded use of the phrase Underground Railroad1913 – Harriet Tubman dies, buried in Auburn, New York with military honors2016 – Proposal to replace Andrew Jackson with Harriet Tubman on the U.S. $20 bill, placed on hold during Trump presidency 2021– President Biden announces plans to revisit Harriet Tubman $20 bill2022 – plans are made to strike quarters  with historical female figures from U.S. HistoryREFERENCES99% Invisible. (2021, June 11). Episode 54 The Colour of Money. Retrieved June 14, 2022, from https://99percentinvisible.org/episode/episode-54-the-colour-of-money/Andrews, E. (July 19 2017, updated: September 3, 2019). How many U.S. Presidents owned enslaved People? History.com https://www.history.com/news/how-many-u-s-presidents-owned-slavesAnn, M. S. (2021). Harriet Tubman. Harriet Tubman, 1–N.PAG. Biography.com Editors. (2014, April 2). Harriet Tubman. The Biography.Com Website. Retrieved June 14, 2022, from https://www.biography.com/activist/harriet-tubmanBlakemore, E. (April 30, 2018, updated: August 29, 2018). Why Andrew Jackson’s Legacy Is So Controversial. History.comhttps://www.history.com/news/andrew-jackson-presidency-controversial-legacyBradford, S. (1886). Harriet, the Moses of Her People. New York, Geo. R. Lockwood & Son.Due North Productions (Producer), & Robertson, L. (Director). (2016). Daughters of the New Republic: Harriet Tubman and Sarah Bradford. [Video/DVD] Due North Productions. https://video.alexanderstreet.com/watch/daughters-of-the-new-republic-harriet-tubman-and-sarah-bradfordFleming, C. (2018). How To be Less Stupid About Race. Beacon Press. Boston Massachusetts. Gleim, S. (April 1, 2021). What do the Symbols on the U.S. $1 bill Mean? Howstuworks.com. https://money.howstuffworks.com/symbols-dollar-bill.htmGrundhauser, E. (April 22, 2016) The ornate Charm of American Currency from the 1700s. Atlasobscura.comhttps://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/the-ornate-charm-of-american-currency-from-the-1700sHannah-Jones, N. (2021). The 161
Released:
Oct 20, 2022
Format:
Podcast episode

Titles in the series (36)

The nature of history is that it is never “complete”, new information is gained every day that changes our understanding an interpretations of history. The mission of Incomplete Design History is to explore areas of graphic design history that are overlooked or ignored; to expand our knowledge in the field and to include all sides of the story. Incomplete design history seeks to be inclusive, inclusive not only of people but of ideas and technologies that advance the field of graphic design. History is messy. History is incomplete.