The Laser Interferometric Gravitational Wave Observatory (LIGO) is the preeminent interferometric gravitational wave detector facility in the world. The initial LIGO detectors exceeded their design sensitivity and were able to search for signals from the coalescence and merger of compact neutron star binaries to a distance of ~40 Mpc (at SNR=8) for optimally oriented systems. While no detections were made, the LIGO Scientific Collaboration, mostly working jointly with the Virgo Collaboration, published a number of upper limits of astrophysical interest. LIGO is now poised to open the Era of Advanced Detectors with the commissioning of an upgraded Advanced LIGO interferometric detector. LIGO Laboratory is also collaborating with several Indian research centers to site an identical Advanced LIGO interferometer in that country, thereby expanding the LIGO detector network to three widely separated interferometers that will operate as a single network.