When the Continental Congress first voted on the Declaration of Independence, it

On July 2, 1776, Congress voted on the resolution for independence, and it passed with 12 colonies represented: 9 voted in favor, while New York abstained and other colonies were divided or opposed. New York later approved independence, and the Declaration’s text was adopted on July 4. Thus the first vote received 9 of 12 possible votes, not unanimous approval.

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