History of the AFL-CIO By irajairus May 1, 1866 National Labor Union Founded Period: May 1, 1866 to Dec 31, 2010 AFL-CIO Timeline Dec 1, 1900 promote trade agreements with employers Dec 10, 1903 Women's Trade Union League Formed at AFL Convention Dec 10, 1908 AFL endorses Democrat William Jeniings Bryan for President Dec 10, 1924 Samuel Gompers dies; William Green becomes new AFL President Dec 10, 1935 Committee for Industrial Organzation (CIO) formed within the AFL Dec 10, 1940 John L. Lewis resigns and Philip Murray becomes new CIO President Dec 10, 1955 AFL and CIO merge; George Meany becomes President Dec 10, 1979 Lane Kirkland elected President for AFL-CIO Feb 10, 2000 AFL-CIO Executive Council calls for reform in immigration laws for undocumented workers Jun 10, 2008 AFL-CIO endorses Sen. Barack Obama for U.S. President Jun 10, 2010 The AFL-CIO hosts the “Next Up” Young Workers Summit in Washington, D.C., and establishes a national youth mobilization effort as a top priority.