On July 17, 1821, celebrations in Pensacola marked the United States' official acquisition of Spanish Florida. The people in attendance represented Pensacola's diverse multicultural and multiethnic population, and many of them now rest in nearby St. Michael's Cemetery. The official exchange of flags took place at the fort's flagpole near the bay-side entrance that led to the military and administrative heart of Pensacola during the First Spanish, British, and Second Spanish periods from 1756 to 1821. Archaeological research by the University of West Florida identified features and materials reflecting the continuous use of the Commanding Officer's Compound site from the colonial era to the modern day and revealed details about how Pensacola's past communities changed and coalesced throughout history. The event also reflects Pensacola's historic role as the county seat of Escambia County and as the colonial capital of West Florida.