Bartholdi was inspired by a French law professor and politician, Édouard René de Laboulaye, who is said to have commented in 1865 that any monument raised to U.S. independence would properly be a joint project of the French and U.S. peoples.
Vabadussamba autorit Bartholdit inspireeris Prantsusmaa poliitik ja õigusteaduste professor Édouard René de Laboulaye, kes 1865 ütles, et iga monument, mis on püstitatud USA iseseisvuse auks, peaks õigupoolest olema prantslaste ja ameeriklaste ühisprojekt.