Marie Eugène François Thomas Dubois was a Dutch paleoanthropologist and geologist. He earned worldwide fame for his discovery of Pithecanthropus erectus, or "Java Man". Although hominid fossils had been found and studied before, Dubois was the first anthropologist to embark upon a purposeful search for them.

1940Billy Hamilton, American baseball player and manager (born 1866)^[†]

William Robert Hamilton, nicknamed "Sliding Billy", was an American professional baseball player in Major League Baseball (MLB) during the 19th century. He played for the Kansas City Cowboys, Philadelphia Phillies and Boston Beaneaters between 1888 and 1901.

Headlines from December 16, 1940

ROOSEVELT HINTS OF CRISIS IN SAYING 'IF WORLD SURVIVES'; He Tells Georgians That He Plans to Return for Visit in Spring 'if Things Go Right' TALKS TO HULL BY PHONE And Will Confer With Secretary in Capital Today--Defense Lag Awaits His Action

FREE PORT UPHELD AS SPUR TO TRADE; ONE OUSTER URGED; Herlands and McKenzie Find Zone Here Has Stimulated Entire Nation's Commerce MANAGER IS DENOUNCED Report to La Guardia Seeks Dismissal of Grunenthal on 'Improper Conduct' Charge

BORDER IS CROSSED; R.A.F. Reports Shooting Down 24 Italian Craft While Losing 3 BARDIA ATTACKED BY NAVY Submarine Sinking Claimed-- Fascisti Trapped at Bagbag Make Desperate Stand

COUP D'ETAT SOUGHT; Planned for Transfer of L'Aiglon's Ashes in Paris Yesterday LAVAL ARRESTED INSTEAD Now Faces Trial for Treason --War on British Was the Price of Aid to Him by Hitler

The International Situation

Notable Deaths