 the american chemical society (acs) is a scientific society based in the united states that supports scientific inquiry in the field of chemistry. founded in 1876 at new york university, the acs currently has more than 161,000 members at all degree levels and in all fields of chemistry, chemical engineering, and related fields. it is the world's largest scientific society and one of the leading sources of authoritative scientific information. the acs is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. the acs holds national meetings twice a year covering the complete field of chemistry and also holds dozens of smaller conferences in specific fields. its publications division produces dozens of scholarly journals including the prestigious journal of the american chemical society. the primary source of income of the acs is the chemical abstracts service and 38 peer-reviewed publications. chemical & engineering news is the weekly news magazine published by the american chemical society and is sent to all members. the acs membership is organized into 186 geographical local sections and 32 technical divisions. the group holds a congressional charter under title 36 of the united states code. == origins ==  the american chemical society had its origins in 35 chemists who met on 6 april 1876, at the university building in the new york university (titled "university of the city of new york" at that time; its name was officially changed in 1896). although at that time there was an american science society (american association for the advancement of science), the growth of chemistry prompted those assembled, including william h. nichols, under the direction of professor charles f. chandler of the columbia school of mines, to found the american chemical society, which would focus more directly on 
1876_establishments_in_the_United_States American_Chemical_Society Green_chemistry Learned_societies_of_the_United_States Organizations_based_in_Washington,_D.C. Patriotic_and_national_organizations_chartered_by_the_United_States_Congress Scientific_organizations_established_in_1876