This year marks the 150th anniversary of the publication of Russian Chemist Dimitri Mendeleev’s Periodic Table of Chemical Elements in 1869. In December 2017, the United National General Assembly during its 74^th Plenary Meeting proclaimed 2019 as the Year of the Period Table of Chemical Elements.

The Periodic Table Description

The chemical elements are arranged by atomic mass. The periodic table got its name from the way the elements are arranged in rows which are called periods. The columns of the table are called groups, some of which have specific names, such as the noble gases and the halogens.

Today, there are 118 elements on the periodic table, four with atomic numbers – 113 (Nihonium), 115 (Moskovi), 117 (Tennesin) and 118 (Oganesson) – were added in 2016.

Recognizing the Year of the Period Table

Locally, the American Chemical Society Greater Houston Section (ACS-GHS) requested a proclamation from the city of Houston and other local and state representatives to recognize the importance of this tool.

“We have received resolutions from Texas Governor Greg Abbot, Texas House of Representative Jessica Farrar and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner,” Dr. Crystal Young, ACS-GHS chair, ACS Student Chapter advisor and UST Chemistry assistant professor, said.

Council member Karla Cisneros presented the proclamation from the City of Houston in October during National Chemistry Week at the Children’s Museum of Houston.

Houston Mayor Turner Gives Proclamation

In addition to the October event, ACS representatives including St. Thomas' ACS Student Chapter President Nikki Nguyen and Secretary Alison Tran received the Proclamation from Mayor Turner at City Hall on Friday, Dec. 6.

“It was an honor to have public officials recognize the value of chemistry and get a chance to meet our leaders for such a positive experience,” Young said.