The colonists declared their independence from the British Crown on July 2, 1776, with the adoption of the independence resolution of Richard Henry Lee of Virginia:

Resolved, That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved.

That it is expedient forthwith to take the most effectual measures for forming foreign Alliances.

That a plan of confederation be prepared and transmitted to the respective Colonies for their consideration and approbation.

~ Lee Resolution, Second Continental Congress, adopted July 2, 1776, 12 of 13 colonies (New York abstaining)

New York wouldn't even vote for independence for another two weeks, so it is impossible that any sort of "Unanimous Declaration" happened on July 4th.

The Lee Resolution definitely not unanimously adopted July 2; however, a copy of the formal declaration of independence adopted two days later on July 4 (New York also abstaining) was ordered printed (the Dunlap broadside) and widely distributed. The adopted declaration was delivered to the representatives of New York on July 9 who met in White Plains and voted unanimously that day:

WHITE-PLAINS, JULY, 9 1776.

IN CONVENTION OF THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW-YORK.

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY, That the Reasons assigned by the CONTINENTAL CONGRESS, for declaring the United Colonies FREE and INDEPENDENT STATES, are cogent and conclusive, and that while we lament the cruel Necessity which has rendered the Measure unavoidable, we approve the same, and will at the Risque of our Lives and Fortunes, join with the other Colonies in supporting it.

RESOLVED, That a Copy of the said Declaration and the aforegoing Resolution be sent to the Chairman of the Committee of the County of WESTCHESTER, with Orders to publish the same with Beat of Drum, at this Place, on Thursday next, and to give Directions that it be published with all convenient Speed in the several Districts within the said County. And that Copies thereof be forthwith transmitted to the other County Committees within the State of New-York, with Orders to cause the same to be published in the several Districts of their respective Counties.

Extract from the Minutes,
ROBERT BENSON, Secretary.

~ The Holt Broadside (original spelling and style/punctuation)

https://www.cincymuseum.org/2026/06/29/the-holt-broadside-printing-of-the-declaration-of-independence/
[most legible digital copy I could locate]

Following that resolution, Holt printed the full language of the Declaration as adopted on July 4 by the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia.

Meanwhile, a copy of the adopted declaration (John Dunlap broadside) had also been delivered from Philadelphia to General George Washington quartered in New York City (massive British naval fleet occupying New York Harbor), whereupon he ordered his troops assembled July 9 in order to hear it read aloud, who many then thereafter famously made haste that day to Bowling Green to tear down the gilded lead statute of King George III.

So history records the following (among other things):

* July 2 vote on the Lee Resolution achieving independence.
* July 4 vote approving the declaratory written statement that justified that independence.
* July 9:
- New York receives the declaration, meets at White Plains and votes to join, making it thusly unanimous.
- General Washington in New York City also receives the declaration and orders its reading aloud, and King George III (the gilded lead statue) is thereafter literally put asunder.
* July 19 vote wherein Congress orders the Declaration "fairly engrossed on parchment" for signatures, and the title is changed from "A Declaration by the Representatives of the United States of America in General Congress Assembled" to "The Unanimous Declaration of the Thirteen United States of America" to reflect New York's official vote joining.

As notable above, the Lee Resolution actually consisted of three parts: a declaration of independence, a call to form foreign alliances, and a plan for confederation, but covering all the issues would require an even deeper dive into history. :)

Read your email.

:-)

-CW