Just over a year ago, the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory announced the first unambiguous direct detection of gravitational waves. This event marked the end of the beginning of a long process to make gravitational waves a tool for observing the universe. In this talk, I will present an overview of gravitational wave physics and detection, describing why gravitational waves provide a unique and powerful tool for probing extreme objects in the universe. I will describe in some detail what has been learned from the handful of events that have been announced so far, and discuss plans, ideas, and ongoing projects that will determine the field’s future.