The name bromine was derived from the Greek word brōmos (a stink or stench), via the French word brome (a light or thick mist), which was combined with the English suffix ‘ine’ (to indicate it is a chemical element). Today, bromine is primarily obtained by treating brines from wells in Michigan and Arkansas with chlorine.
 

Antoine-Jérôme Balard (1802-1876), a French Chemist, was credited with the discovery of Bromine in 1826.  He first noticed it in the residues (bitterns) from the manufacture of sea salt at Montpellier. He liberated the element by passing chlorine through an aqueous solution of the residues, which contained magnesium bromide, but it wasn’t prepared in quantity until 1860.

Carl Jacob Löwig (1803-1890), a German chemist, discovered bromine independently of Antoine Jérôme Balard while adding chlorine (Cl) and ether to spring water, which produced a red colored substance. While Löwig investigated this substance, Antoine Balard published his independent discovery of bromine.

Bromine is unique because it's the only non-metallic element that exists as a liquid at room temperature, appearing as a reddish-brown liquid.  It evaporates easily to form a red vapor with a strong, chlorine-like odor.  Bromine is less reactive than chlorine or fluorine but more reactive than iodine.

• Occurrence: Found naturally in seawater and the Earth's crust, primarily in the form of bromide compounds. 
• Chemical properties: Bromine exists as a diatomic molecule (Br2). 
• Uses: Historically used as a sedative, today bromine is used in various applications like flame retardants, pesticides, photography (in silver bromide), and water treatment. 
• Health concerns: Due to its irritating fumes, handling pure bromine requires significant safety precautions. 

·         Bromine is the Earth's 44^th most common element.

·         Products with bromine are used in agriculture, sanitation and as fire retardants (chemicals that help prevent things from catching fire).

Historically, some bromine-containing products were used as sedatives (drugs that can make people calm or sleepy).

Just the facts:

Bromine Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster