Anti-slavery activist Harriet Tubman to replace Jackson on the US $20 bill

The US Treasury Department announced on Wednesday that Harriet Tubman, an abolitionist who risked her life bringing hundreds of slaves to freedom, will replace President Andrew Jackson on the $20 bill, which will make her the first female on a US currency.

Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew confirmed that Hamilton would remain on the $10 bill after an unexpected public show of support fueled, in part, by the popularity of the Pulitzer Prize-winning Broadway play based on Hamilton's life by Lin-Manuel Miranda.

The $5, $10 and $20 bills will all be redesigned over the next four years, but will be put into production at various times over the next decade.

Former US president, George Washington's wife, Martha was featured on a $1 silver certificate over a century ago.