Here's why:
* Periods signal the end of a complete thought. They mark a full stop in the flow of ideas.
* Other punctuation marks, like commas (,) or semicolons (;), can also create pauses, but they do not signify the end of a complete sentence.
* Commas are used to separate items in a list, introduce clauses, or indicate a slight pause.
* Semicolons are used to connect closely related independent clauses.
So, while other punctuation marks create pauses, the period is the ultimate punctuation mark for a complete break in a sentence's flow.