The past 20 years of gamma‐ray burst observations are summarized. Time history morphologies and durations are discussed, as well as continuum and line energy spectra. The results of statistical studies on the spatial distribution, logN(≳S)− log S, andV/Vmaxare presented, and the status of quiescent and transient counterpart searches are reviewed. A table of soon‐to‐be‐obsolete ‘‘Gamma‐ray Burst World Records’’ is given. Due to the presence of new ground‐based and space experiments, it seems likely that substantial progress in understanding this phenomenon will be made in the 90’s