This talk will present the progress constructing and commissioning the Vera C. Rubin Observatory with a particular focus on the role an astronomer plays in this process. The talk will begin with a brief history of imaging surveys, motivating the construction of the Rubin Observatory. This will continue with describing some important phases and milestones of commissioning as well as presenting many of the major systems that constitute the observatory. The talk will conclude with a look ahead for science with Rubin Observatory and how data, including the already available DP1, can be accessed.